TREATMENT
Diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on your symptoms and physical signs. For example, if you have had a deer tick bite, and now have the erythema migrans rash (pictured), you most likely have Lyme and should certainly be treated with an antibiotic.

Blood tests may help with the diagnosis in some instances (i.e., if you never got or don't remember getting the rash, or if your symptoms are not straightforward). But blood tests are not mandatory and may be falsely negative or positive.

As a bacterial disease, Lyme is treated with antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline, amoxicillin, cefuroxime, and clarithromycin are commonly prescribed). Studies have shown that two to four weeks (and sometimes more) of antibiotic treatment are needed to kill the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria that causes Lyme. For severe Lyme disease (such as carditis or meningitis), antibiotics given intravenously are often necessary.

If you think you have or had untreated Lyme, you should see your physician to discuss your concerns.