Does Lyme disease pose an additional risk during pregnancy?
While there have been several reports of adverse outcomes due to Lyme disease during pregnancy, there have been no scientific studies conducted to date that document an increased risk. Pregnant women diagnosed with Lyme disease should be treated promptly with antibiotics. Women bitten by ticks during pregnancy should consult their doctor. How valuable are blood tests in the diagnosis of Lyme disease? The blood tests that are routinely available through your physician measure the levels of antibodies produced by your immune system in response to the presence of Lyme disease spirochetes. The results of blood tests taken during the first stage of Lyme disease are often negative since it may take up to eight weeks following infection for there to be sufficient antibodies to turn the test positive. When signs and symptoms consistent with early Lyme disease are present, treatment should not be withheld while waiting for the results of a blood test. A second problem with the blood test is tha
