Re: can Spinal Taps help diagnose Lyme?


john wrote:

I was wondering.. Since Spinal Taps can test for several different things
that blood tests cannot.

Possibly. A spinal tap may be ordered if there are symptoms consistent
with neurological impairment, as I understand it.

But...if the tests (antibody, PCR) are "negative"...this does not "rule
out" the disease, if I am not mistaken.

So, yes, the spinal tap MIGHT be useful in a patient with central
nervous system involvement...IF it is positive.


Also, I read a few years ago from some medical literature that it may be
possible that lyme can spread through the air...and this is how other close
family members get it aswell... any truth behind this?

No.

.