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Home > What You Need to Know> Lyme Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

TURN THE CORNER LYME DISEASE QUIZ


1. Which of the following is not a symptom of Lyme disease (check all that apply):

 Flu-like symptoms
 Tingling in the extremities
 Joint and muscle pain
 Headaches
 Heart palpitations
 Fatigue
 Difficulty concentrating
 Stiffness in the neck, back, or jaw
 Bell's palsy (facial paralysis)
 A rash at the site of the bite, often a Bull's eye rash

Answer
All of these symptoms could be a result of a Lyme disease infection. In particular, if you develop flu-like symptoms during the summer or early fall (when your chances of contracting Lyme disease are the highest), visit a doctor who specializes in Lyme disease. You can find a Lyme-literate doctor through TTC. Call 1.212.580.6262 to find out more.


2. The percentage of people with Lyme disease who develop the characteristic Bull's eye rash are:

 A)Almost 100%
 B)About 75%
 C)Less than 50%

Answer
C. While the presence of the rash is an indication of Lyme disease, many people do not develop the rash; in fact, research shows that less than one in five people even recall being bitten by a tick.


3. Lyme disease is accurately diagnosed:

 A)Only on the basis of a blood test
 B)Only on the basis of a rash and a tick bite
 C)Based on a number of things, possibly including a blood test as well as the patient's symptoms.

Answer
C. Because blood tests for Lyme disease are not entirely accurate and can result in false positives and false negatives—and because a person's immune system may not be making enough antibodies to test positive—a physician should be looking at a patient's symptoms and medical history as well as results of blood tests. This is called a "clinical diagnosis." If you are suffering from any of the symptoms in #1, visit a doctor trained in Lyme disease. Also, some blood tests are more accurate than others. A Lyme-literate doctor will know which specialized tests—and which high-quality laboratories—will yield the most accurate results.


4. Which of the following ways can someone contract Lyme disease:

 A)A bite from a Lyme-infected tick
 B)A pregnant woman passing Lyme disease to the fetus
 C)Being kissed by, or drinking from the same cup as, someone with Lyme disease

Answer
A & B. In the case of pregnancy, passing Lyme disease to the fetus can be avoided with antibiotic treatment. It is crucial to visit a Lyme-literate doctor if you have Lyme disease or Lyme symptoms and plan on becoming pregnant or are already are pregnant.


5. All cases of Lyme disease can be successfully treated with a 2- to 3-week course of antibiotics.

 True
 False

Answer
False. While many cases of Lyme disease that are caught early on—within the first several weeks of infection—can be successfully treated with a minimum of four weeks of antibiotics, some cases require longer treatment and even several different types of antibiotics. Lyme is most treatable in its early stages; however, in later stages, it becomes more entrenched in the body and more resistant to medication. The Lyme bacteria is a "smart" bacteria and can hide in cell walls and penetrate different tissues and areas of the body; oftentimes, these cases require longer and multi-layered antibiotic treatment.


6. Lyme disease has been reported:

 A) Only in the Northwestern Part of the United States
 B) In about half of the states in U.S.
 C) In nearly every state

Answer
C. Lyme disease is a national epidemic and is outpacing AIDS, according to some experts. It is the #1 vector-borne disease in the U.S. There are more cases diagnosed in the North-East Atlantic states (Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Delaware) each year, but Lyme disease is on the rise in nearly every state. It has also been found in nearly every continent.


7. Lyme disease is the only tick-borne illness to watch out for.

 True
 False

Answer
False. While Lyme disease is by far the most prevalent tick-borne illness, there are a number of other diseases you can contract from a tick, sometimes along with Lyme disease itself. A Lyme-literate doctor should consider the full spectrum of tick-borne diseases, since one tick may transmit several different bacteria. Check out a full list of Tick-Borne Disorders.

 
 
 
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