LYME DISEASE
IN RHODE ISLAND

However, it is still very difficult to receive an early and accurate Lyme disease diagnosis that will avoid costly and lengthy treatments and possible disability. The overwhelming majority of physicians in Rhode Island who see patients with potential Lyme disease in it's early stages will miss the diagnosis unless they see a textbook example of a bull's eye rash or the blood work from the patient returns with positive results according to the CDC's surveillance criteria.

In other words, most RI clinicians miss the diagnosis of Lyme disease and diagnose something else. When they do make the diagnosis of Lyme disease, they then are most likely to only treat their patient for a limited number of days no matter how that patients responds.

When some experts claim that all Lyme disease cases are successfully treated with a specific number of days of antibiotic treatment, it is not always the truth. There is no one treatment regimen which is entirely successful with all patients all of the time.

Evidence-based guidelines for the management of Lyme disease are a good place to find accurate information useful for doctors and patients.

For a physician referral, please contact the Lyme Disease Association.

DISCLAIMER: This site is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information on this site. Medical information changes rapidly and while efforts will be made to update the content on this site, some information may be out of date.