Lyme Disease Test A Lyme disease test detects Reference
antibodies Opens New Window to the Reference Lyme disease Opens
New Window bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi in the blood. Lyme
disease bacteria are spread by certain kinds of ticks. Lyme
disease can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms are similar
to those of many other illnesses. If you and your doctor think
you have Lyme disease, your doctor will do a careful medical
history and physical exam. Antibody tests can sometimes be used
to help identify Lyme disease. Other tests may be done in
certain situations. Antibody tests are the most commonly used
tests to help identify Lyme disease. Antibody testing may also
be done on fluid from the spine or from a joint. It may take up
to 2 months after becoming infected before antibodies can be
detected in a blood test. Once formed, antibodies usually stay
in your system for many years, even after successful treatment
of the disease. Finding antibodies to the Lyme disease bacteria
does not tell whether you were in