Posted by Larry Hoover on May 24, 2007, at 8:18:43
In reply to If You Have Had Lymes Disease Is it True Western B, posted by Phillipa on May 20, 2007, at 12:21:52
> If you had chronic lymes at a point you don't know of in your life and been treated with antibiotics multiple times that the Western Blot always remains positive as each time it's done it's positive and the health dept wants to know if it's been treated? Love Phillipa
There are two types of Lyme's antibodies commonly tested for by Western blot: IgM is the immediate response, generally indicating an active infection; IgG is a later immune response, which is more sensitive a test for exposure to the infection. The IgG can be positive even though the infection has been fully treated.
The problem with these tests is that they are often over-interpreted. A positive test does not mean that you've got an active infection, and a negative test does not mean that you don't. They are only puzzle pieces, which must be assessed in the context of the entire clinical presentation.
Have you had SPECT and MRI scans?
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:758392
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20070227/msgs/759200.html