This year I sent seven deer ticks, removed from me at different times beginning in May, to Arizona to be tested. The lab must be overwhelmed, because so far I've received results on only two of them.
My first thought was that it's good to have validation that not every tick is infected. But then I wondered . . .
At the time the ticks were attached to me, I was on antibiotics. Do you think it's possible that my antibiotic-treated blood killed their infections? Sounds like a long shot to me, but I'm curious.
Thanks!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Send them to Igenex next time.
That said, not all tick testing is accurate. I found out the hard way.
I'm not sure about your being on antibiotics at the time, but the lab would know.
Posted by Alisandne (Member # 27304) on :
Igenex would charge for the test, I'm sure. Northern Arizona University is doing them for free.
I knew by the time I got the results back, too much time would have passed for them to be useful. It would be foolish to wait three months to be treated. So the tests are more to provide information about ticks in my area than anything else.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Alisandne: So the tests are more to provide information about ticks in my area than anything else.
- Exactly.
Posted by Alisandne (Member # 27304) on :
Another tick test result just arrived. It's the same as the others: negative on everything.
Posted by grakay (Member # 48057) on :
I sent mine to University of Massachusetts as I didn't know any better. It came back negative for lyme, babesia, bartonella, etc all the co-infections. It was the only tick that bit me and I definitely am positive for lyme and bartonella.
I am curious about the % of ticks that carry lyme & coinfections. I also wondering how accurate the testing of ticks are. I'd called to check if they could test my tick as I kept it (dead) for a month before sending it in. They said that they could test ticks up to years after we zip lock it. I find that hard to believe.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would at least keep the tick in the freezer.
Doesn't surprise me that they missed the infections. Personal experience.
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
I would venture to say the number is higher than 33%. Be very mindful of any health symptoms.
Posted by Alisandne (Member # 27304) on :
Grakay, it's possible that wasn't the only tick that bit you. I'm lucky that my many tick bites itched; otherwise I might never have spotted them. Nymph and larval forms need a strong magnifying glass to ID them as ticks.
Even with the itch, it seems likely I wasn't aware of every bite I've gotten.
Posted by GloriaPhair (Member # 48889) on :
Pets are important to your family, and protecting them from tick-borne disease should be part of your tick bite prevention program. It is important to do tick and flea prevention as it keeps your pet healthy. For successful flea control, the home, the pet and often, the yard must be treated. You can call professional CT pest control exterminators to get rid of this problem.
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
Keep in mind there are many stands of borrelia that aren't on Lyme tests. Watch very carefully for any symptoms or illnesses. Lyme can effect any organ in the body. Best.