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Does Flu Like Symptoms Indicate Lyme Disease?

Posted on Sat, 28 Mar 2015

Question: If I'm being treated for a chronic infection and on doxcycline, if my mystery rash, fever, chills and like symptoms are back full force even on the antibotic can they tell me now if it's the suspected Lyme I picked up while I was deployed? Specifically the man made strain?

Answered by Dr. Dr. BR Hudda (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be told only if its a Lyme's disease. There is no man-made strain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am Greetings
i had gone through your question diligently and i understand your concern

Lyme disease generallly presents with flu like symptoms such as headache muscle pain and joint pains apart from you have mentioned

rashes in Lyme disease has typical appearance if you can upload a photograph of the rashes, i will be able to guide you better

Its diagnosis can be ascertained based on cilinical presentation and lab investigation like ELISA and westron blot test

Doxycycline resistance has also been documented so you can discuss with your doctor for other alternative like azithromycin group of antibiotics. You can switch over to azithromycin group of antibiotics

I would recommend to follow these guidelines
wear protective clothing including hat long sleeved shirt and long trousers tucked into socks or boots
take special care while handling outdoor animals and pets

I hope you will find my response informative and helpful please feel free to ask for further clarifications I will be happy to help

wishing you good health
Regards
Dr BR Hudda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Dr. BR Hudda (17 hours later)

Okay try three sending a follow up. I got the infections confused. Lyme and mycoplasma ferm. Incognitus is the two I'm wondering about, that are known to be in people who deployed to the Gulf, along with other co infections.
Lyme test the best one is igenex labs?
The problem I'm having is VA won't follow recommendations from their own regional office of WRIISC. They are just treating symptoms with no DX because if I'm DX I can claim this as compinsation since this has been documented since 1999. I want answers and a DX to take myself out of the VA system and hopefully get better care and monitoring. So that being said what is the best tests for these infections.

Answered by Dr. Dr. BR Hudda (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
IgeneX lab is an better option for you,

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am
Thank you so much for your reply

I am sorry to hear about the conflict between department of VA and WRIISC, its an administrative issue I will not be able to help you much.
If you wish to get tested for lyme's disease, IgeneX lab is an option for you which is a private lab in Palo Alto, California that specializes in testing for tick-borne disease
confirmatory diagnosis of lyme' disease can be made by following tests
EIA/IFA testing for IgM and IgG
Western Blot for IgM and IgG
Histopathological demonstration of bacteria in blood CSF and skin.
PCR test for detection of bacterial DNA

Mycoplasma can be ruled out by Chest X ray and certain blood tests which I am sure your doctor knows

I hope this addresses your query fully. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if needed
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T