Isn't it possible to test negative for it, even when infected?

Yes it is. However, there are other tick-borne illnesses as well. Either way, a high dose of antibiotics would be a smart move.

it will be like Red Dawn

WOLVERINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

someone is finally actually asleep for his nap.

msbelle, so many congratulations on you and mac arriving home safely.

Cutienapcakes!

Thank you.

She's seeing a Rheumatologist in Boston, today. I am hoping they try anti-biotics. I think all they have her on is anti-inflammatories. She was first (mis)diagnosed as having Fifth Disease (when it was just a rash).

She's since been in and out of Children's hospital and seen a rare disease specialist. Sometimes, she is unable to walk, or feed herself. I saw her (and her parents) yesterday. This is not the same child I last saw a couple of months ago. It's like she's fading away.

TAR: I always knew that EZ-Pass (or FastLane, for the Somervillains) made sense. Don't leave home without it!

I loved that the Models did the best at the couture/pinning task. They were damn good competitors.

Thanks Aimee, and everyone else.

She's since been in and out of Children's hospital and seen a rare disease specialist. Sometimes, she is unable to walk, or feed herself. I saw her (and her parents) yesterday. This is not the same child I last saw a couple of months ago. It's like she's fading away.

Grr. Considering how widespread and misleading Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses are in the Northeast, I get damned angry when I hear that doctors aren't doing an antibiotic run just to be safe.

From Postgrad Medicine Site:

What types of diseases do ticks spread?

Some types of ticks carry spiral-shaped bacteria called spirochetes (spy-reh-keets) that can infect humans and cause disease. The deer tick, which lives mainly in the northeastern and Middle Atlantic states and the Midwest, carries the spirochete that causes Lyme disease. The Rocky Mountain wood tick and the American dog tick, found in the eastern and western United States, spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks can also spread less common diseases, including ehrlichiosis, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, tick paralysis, and relapsing fever.

What are the signs and symptoms of tick-borne illness?

Although signs and symptoms can vary, most people have evidence of a tick bite, rash, and fever. The rash in Lyme disease spreads out from the bite in a distinctive pattern that looks like a bull's-eye (see top photo). In Rocky Mountain spotted fever, red spots show up first on the palms and soles and then spread to the chest, stomach, back, and face.

How are these illnesses treated?

Most tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics. The sooner that treatment is started after infection, the faster the recovery. Oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, cefuroxime axetil, or amoxicillin, may need to be taken for a few weeks. Be sure to continue taking the antibiotics for as long as prescribed.

Egg Bagel:

My neighbor had Rocky Mountain spotted fever a few years ago, and she had all of the symptoms you're describing. Took them six months to diagnose and treat, but she eventually did recover fully. Fwiw.