Atypical Erythema Migrans: What an Atypical Lyme Rash Looks Like NOT A BULL’S-EYE? LYME RASHES DON’T ALWAYS LOOK TYPICAL An atypical erythema migrans rash may not look like the classic bull’s-eye—and many patients never develop one at all, leading to missed or delayed diagnosis. Atypical erythema migrans refers to a Lyme disease rash that appears […]
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Lyme carditis and heart failure A 52-year-old woman from Pennsylvania developed symptoms over a two-week period that included shortness of breath, fever, chills, fatigue, and joint pain with stiffness. She also reported dizziness and intermittent pre-syncope, described as near-fainting episodes. “Echocardiography demonstrated new-onset mildly depressed left ventricular systolic dysfunction,” the authors report. “Interestingly, coronary CTA
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Lyme Disease Co-Infections: Symptoms, Causes, and Why They Matter Ticks can carry more than one infection Co-infections may worsen symptoms Diagnosis and treatment become more complex Quick Answer: Lyme disease co-infections occur when a tick transmits multiple pathogens, such as Babesia, Bartonella, or Ehrlichia. These infections can worsen symptoms, complicate diagnosis, and require different treatment
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Powassan Encephalitis: How Fast Can a Tick Cause Brain Infection? INFECTED TICK BITE—MINUTES, NOT DAYS? POWASSAN VIRUS CAN CAUSE RAPID BRAIN INFECTION A child returns from a camping trip. Within days, he develops fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Soon after, he becomes nonverbal and requires ICU care. Could a tick bite cause this—so quickly? Quick
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Is It Lyme Disease? Unexpected Symptoms That May Be Missed UNEXPECTED LYME PRESENTATIONS? WHEN SYMPTOMS DON’T FIT THE TEXTBOOK Lyme disease does not always look like a rash, fever, or swollen knee. Sometimes it begins with symptoms that seem unrelated—foot pain, dizziness, palpitations, vision changes, tinnitus, or unexplained fatigue. That is why Lyme disease can
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Lyme Disease Treatment: What Antibiotics Are Used? TREATMENT OPTIONS? WHICH ANTIBIOTICS WORK FOR LYME DISEASE? Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, ceftriaxone (Rocephin), and combination therapies in more complex cases. Some patients may also require treatment for co-infections like Babesia using medications such as atovaquone (Mepron). Treatment depends on symptoms, stage of
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Lyme Disease Without a Positive Test: A Delayed Diagnosis Case Persistent symptoms were dismissed for years Negative testing delayed consideration of Lyme disease Treatment for Lyme and Babesia led to significant improvement My patient took a “bury-your-head-in-the-sand” approach toward Lyme disease, which ultimately delayed treatment and prolonged his suffering. He had been ill for more
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Rifampin for Lyme Disease: When Doxycycline Isn’t Enough DOXYCYCLINE— NOT ENOUGH? WHEN RIFAMPIN MAY HELP What happens when doxycycline isn’t enough to treat Lyme disease? Doxycycline has long been a first-line treatment for Lyme disease due to its effectiveness against both Borrelia burgdorferi and certain co-infections. Quick Answer: Rifampin may be considered in select Lyme
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Can Lyme Disease Cause Jaw Pain? TMJ Symptoms Explained Can Lyme disease cause jaw pain? Yes. In some cases, Lyme disease can affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), causing inflammation that resembles a common temporomandibular disorder (TMD). When TMJ treatment fails, the underlying problem may not be mechanical—it may be infectious. For a broader overview of
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Can You Get Ticks from Pets? Can you get ticks from pets? Yes—and many people are exposed to ticks inside their own homes without realizing it. Dogs and cats can carry ticks indoors, where they may crawl onto furniture, bedding, or directly onto household members. This can increase the risk of tick bites—even if you
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