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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).
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
Research & Sources
Chronic Lyme disease: an evidence-based definition by the ILADS Working Group
Expert Review of Anti-infective TherapyView Source
Severity of chronic Lyme disease compared to other chronic conditions: a quality of life survey
PeerJView Source