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A 24-year-old female asked:

Does a positive elisa but a negative western blot mean you have lyme disease? some of my doctors say no and others say maybe. not sure if i should take antibiotics or not! (i have flu like systemic symptoms for years) thanks?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Hunter Handsfield
Dr. Hunter Handsfieldanswered
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
Probably you do not have Lyme. The ELISA test often gives false positive results, which is why additional testing (such as Western blot) is needed to confirm the result. However, it's a complex issue, and test interpretation depends a lot on duration of Lyme, clinical manifestations, etc. Your symptoms fit with lots of chronic conditions other than Lyme. See an infectious diseases specialist.
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Reviewed Aug 14, 2022
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Dr. Frank Kuitems
Dr. Frank Kuitems agrees1 doctor agrees

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Last updated Aug 14, 2022

Found in:

ELISA›Lyme disease›Antibiotic

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