This season, tick populations are at an all-time high. This means that Lyme disease diagnoses are becoming more common than in previous years. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that humans can contract from deer tick bites. It can cause serious illness and if not treated early, can become a chronic condition. Keep reading to learn more about diagnosing and treating Lyme disease.
If you are bitten by a tick, AFC Urgent Care Waltham offers same-day Lyme disease testing with rapid results. Our clinic has an on-site laboratory, making it easy for you to walk in for testing when it’s convenient for you. We are open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm. Walk in, or schedule your visit online in advance using the button below.
What Is Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that spreads to humans through deer tick bites. It is caused by a bacteria that can cause a variety of different symptoms depending on the person. Lyme disease requires antibiotics to treat, and it is vital that you seek treatment immediately. Lyme disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics, however, it must be treated within 2 weeks of the initial tick bite in order to ensure that the infection can be cleared. Once the infection spreads throughout the body, it is more difficult to treat.
It is very easy for Lyme disease to go undetected if you do not catch the tick biting you. Ticks can be the size of a pinhead, making them difficult to locate on your body. Due to this, it is important to monitor yourself for symptoms, preform regular tick checks after going outside and seek treatment immediately if you suspect you’ve been exposed to Lyme disease.
Signs You Have Lyme Disease
In order to begin treatment early enough to ensure that you can fully resolve the infection caused by Lyme disease, it is vital that you identify you may have been exposed to the disease early. An obvious sign that you have been exposed to Lyme disease is being bitten by a deer tick. If you find a tick on your body that has bitten you, you should immediately remove it and bring it to your healthcare provider for identification.
Sometimes you may not find the tick while it is still attached to you. Instead, look for these signs that you were bitten by a tick and seek medical care for Lyme disease testing if you notice any of them:
- Bullseye rash
- Extreme fatigue
- Joint pain
- Stiff neck
- Swollen lymph nodes
Why Early Diagnosis is Key to Treating Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a very common condition, however it should always be treated seriously. If you think you may have been bitten by a tick and exposed to Lyme disease, always seek medical care for symptom diagnosis and testing. Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria that slowly spreads from the initial bite site throughout the body. As it spreads, it can cause worsening symptoms over time. After about 2 weeks, if left untreated, Lyme disease can become chronic. To avoid this, it is important to seek treatment early, even if you’re unsure whether you were exposed.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Waltham for Same-Day Lyme Disease Testing WIth No Appointment Needed
At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, we understand how important having rapid access to Lyme disease treatment is to avoid complications from the condition. Our clinic offers same-day Lyme disease symptom diagnosis and treatment for patients who may have been exposed to a tick bite. We have a lab on-site, allowing us to perform diagnostic testing at the time of your visit for rapid results. Our clinic is open 7 days a week with extended business hours, and accepts walk-in patients. We accept most major medical insurance plans, simply walk into the clinic for same-day care!
