Lyme Disease: The Diagnostic Challenges and Serious Consequences of Misdiagnosis

Lyme disease is an illness transmitted by ticks and is the most common tick-borne infection in Europe. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that in many cases, infected individuals do not notice the tick bite, making early diagnosis and treatment difficult. The symptoms of Lyme disease encompass a wide spectrum, and due to misdiagnoses, many suffer from the consequences of the disease for years. Issues of recognition, diagnosis, and treatment are essential to prevent severe complications.

The Spread and Diagnosis of Lyme Disease

The spread and diagnosis of Lyme disease is particularly concerning, as the proportion of infected ticks can reach up to 50% in certain areas. The pathogen of Lyme disease, the Borrelia bacteria, is carried by ticks, and the infection often occurs unnoticed. Since the signs of the disease often resemble other dermatological issues, establishing a diagnosis can be complicated.

Challenges in Diagnosing Lyme Disease

Diagnosing Lyme disease presents numerous difficulties. The signs of the disease are often vague, and the symptoms can initially be interpreted as dermatological problems. The wandering, circular rash that is a typical sign of the disease often appears to be a temporary change, and the infectious bacteria do not disappear from the body. These bacteria can hide in the joints or beneath the skin layer, causing severe joint pain that leads many to consult a rheumatologist or orthopedist.

Another difficulty in diagnosing Lyme disease is that Borrelia bacteria also hide from the immune system, so the levels of antibodies produced by the body during blood tests do not always yield reliable results. Different antibodies are produced at various phases of the immune response, complicating accurate diagnosis. Thus, even if a test shows a positive result, the infection may have already resolved, making the use of antibiotics unnecessary.

What Can Be Done for Early Detection of Lyme Disease?

To prevent Lyme disease, it is crucial to be aware of the risk factors for infection. The likelihood of infection correlates with the frequency of tick encounters and how often we spend time in potentially infected areas, such as forests, shorelines, or meadows.

Among the adult population, especially in the group over 50 years old, the incidence of Lyme disease may be higher, which can be explained by a weakening immune system. In many cases, the body overcomes the Borrelia bacteria, but the lurking pathogens can cause subtle and hard-to-detect complaints.

Tick bites often go unnoticed since the bite is painless. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly check our bodies after spending time outdoors. The sooner a tick is removed, the lower the risk of infection. The redness that appears at the bite site does not always indicate infection but can warn that the tick has not been properly removed.

Testing ticks is not always useful, as the reliability of the tests is low. Due to false-negative results, necessary treatment may not be initiated in case of infection, while the pathogen does not always transfer from the infected tick to the human body. Therefore, it is essential not to attempt to self-diagnose Lyme disease but to consult a specialist.

Special serological tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease, which can detect antibodies in the blood, providing an accurate picture of the state and activity of the infection. Establishing the correct diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, as delays in Lyme disease can lead to severe consequences.