Lyme Disease & Co-infections

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. When not treated early or adequately, it can become chronic or late-stage, causing severe multi-systemic issues. Ticks often transmit other pathogens simultaneously, known as co-infections (e.g., Babesia, Bartonella).

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Common Symptoms

Severe fatigue and malaise

Migratory joint pain and swelling

Neurological issues (neuropathy, brain fog, facial palsy)

Heart palpitations (Lyme carditis)

Fever, chills, and sweats (often associated with Babesia)

Causes & Triggers

Tick bites carrying Borrelia and/or co-infections
Immune suppression allowing dormant infections to reactivate
Biofilm formation protecting bacteria from antibiotics

Diagnosis

Standard two-tier testing (ELISA and Western Blot) often misses late-stage or chronic cases. Functional medicine practitioners often rely on clinical diagnosis supported by specialized testing from labs like IGeneX, which test for multiple strains and co-infections.

Treatment Approaches

Extended or pulsed antibiotic therapy

Herbal antimicrobials (e.g., Buhner protocol, Cowden protocol)

Biofilm disruptors

Detoxification support

Immune modulation

Not Sure Where to Start?

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