Lyme Disease

Acute Lyme Disease vs. Chronic Vector-Borne Infections

Acute Lyme Disease

• Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by tick bite
• Symptoms typically appear within days to weeks
• Classic symptoms: Bull’s-eye rash (Erythema Migrans), fever, fatigue, joint pain, headache
• If caught early, a short course of antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline) can be effective

The Problem with the Current Approach

Many people don’t develop the classic Lyme rash or acute symptoms after a tick bite. If they report a tick bite but do not have obvious Lyme symptoms, they are often given a one-day dose of doxycycline as a precaution.

⚠️ This is NOT enough to treat Lyme or other tick-borne infections.

• Borrelia (Lyme bacteria) requires longer treatment to fully eradicate.
• Babesia (a malaria-like parasite) is unaffected by doxycycline and requires antiprotozoal treatment.
• Bartonella (a bacterial co-infection) is difficult to treat and requires targeted antibiotics.

This one-size-fits-all approach fails to address the broader vector-borne disease spectrum, leading to undiagnosed chronic infections that persist and worsen over time.

Beyond Lyme: The Reality of Chronic Vector-Borne Infections

Once infections persist beyond the acute phase, they are no longer just Lyme disease—they become:
✅ Borreliosis (chronic Borrelia infection)
✅ Bartonellosis (chronic Bartonella infection)
✅ Babesiosis (parasitic co-infection similar to malaria)
✅ Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Mycoplasma, and more

This is why focusing only on “Lyme” is problematic—it oversimplifies the disease and prevents patients from receiving the comprehensive treatment they need.

Symptoms of Chronic Vector-Borne Infections:

• Persistent fatigue & brain fog
• Migratory joint and muscle pain
• Neurological issues – Numbness, tingling, tremors, POTS/dysautonomia
• Psychiatric symptoms – Anxiety, depression, mood swings, panic attacks
• Cardiovascular issues – Heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath
• Immune dysfunction – Frequent infections, food sensitivities, inflammation

Shifting the Focus: A Root Cause Approach to Chronic Infections

At the Restorative Medicine Center, we move beyond Lyme Disease and focus on the entire spectrum of chronic vector-borne infections.

Using advanced testing, we evaluate:
✅ Borrelia (Lyme) and other tick-borne bacteria
✅ Bartonella, Babesia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Mycoplasma
✅ Immune markers and inflammation levels
✅ Toxic load from infections, mold, and other environmental factors

Rather than a one-size-fits-all antibiotic approach, we develop personalized treatment plans based on which infections are present and how they are affecting the immune system.

It’s time to shift the “Lyme light” and focus on comprehensive care for all vector-borne infections—not just Lyme disease.

If you’ve been told you have chronic Lyme but haven’t found answers, or if you suspect a tick-borne illness but have only been tested for Lyme, we’re here to help uncover the full picture and guide you toward real healing.

Rethinking Lyme Disease: A Root Cause Approach to Chronic Vector-Borne Infections

Lyme disease is one of the most misunderstood and poorly managed infectious diseases today. While acute Lyme disease can often be successfully treated if caught early, chronic vector-borne infections are far more complex—extending beyond Lyme alone. Many patients with persistent symptoms are overlooked or misdiagnosed, leaving them struggling with chronic pain, fatigue, neurological dysfunction, and immune system dysregulation for years.

At the Restorative Medicine Center, we shift the focus from Lyme disease alone to the broader issue of chronic vector-borne infections. A tick bite can transmit multiple pathogens, and treating just Lyme (Borrelia) is not enough when other infections are at play. Additionally, these infections have been shown to be spread by other vectors—not just ticks—expanding the potential for exposure far beyond what is commonly recognized.

Acute Lyme Disease vs. Chronic Vector-Borne Infections

Acute Lyme Disease

• Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted primarily by tick bites
• Symptoms typically appear within days to weeks
• Classic symptoms: Bull’s-eye rash (Erythema Migrans), fever, fatigue, joint pain, headache
• If caught early, a short course of antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline) can be effective

The Problem with the Current Approach

Many people don’t develop the classic Lyme rash or acute symptoms after a tick bite. If they report a tick bite but do not have obvious Lyme symptoms, they are often given a one-day dose of doxycycline as a precaution.

⚠️ This is NOT enough to treat Lyme or other tick-borne infections.

• Borrelia (Lyme bacteria) requires longer treatment to fully eradicate.
• Babesia (a malaria-like parasite) is unaffected by doxycycline and requires antiprotozoal treatment.
• Bartonella (a bacterial co-infection) is difficult to treat and requires targeted antibiotics.

This one-size-fits-all approach fails to address the broader vector-borne disease spectrum, leading to undiagnosed chronic infections that persist and worsen over time.

Beyond Lyme: The Reality of Chronic Vector-Borne Infections

Once infections persist beyond the acute phase, they are no longer just Lyme disease—they become:
✅ Borreliosis (chronic Borrelia infection)
✅ Bartonellosis (chronic Bartonella infection)
✅ Babesiosis (parasitic co-infection similar to malaria)
✅ Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Mycoplasma, and more

Not Just Ticks: Other Vectors That Can Spread These Infections

While ticks are the most well-known carriers, research has shown that other biting insects and animals may also transmit these infections, including:
✅ Fleas – Known to carry Bartonella (often referred to as "Cat Scratch Disease")
✅ Lice – Can transmit Bartonella and other bacteria
✅ Mosquitoes – Have been implicated in the spread of Babesia and other vector-borne pathogens
✅ Mites – Can act as reservoirs for bacteria like Rickettsia
✅ Other mammals (rodents, pets, and wildlife) – May serve as carriers or reservoirs for these infections

This means even if you don’t recall a tick bite, you could still be infected—expanding the need for more comprehensive testing and treatment approaches.

Symptoms of Chronic Vector-Borne Infections:

• Persistent fatigue & brain fog
• Migratory joint and muscle pain
• Neurological issues – Numbness, tingling, tremors, POTS/dysautonomia
• Psychiatric symptoms – Anxiety, depression, mood swings, panic attacks
• Cardiovascular issues – Heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath
• Immune dysfunction – Frequent infections, food sensitivities, inflammation

Shifting the Focus: A Root Cause Approach to Chronic Infections

At the Restorative Medicine Center, we move beyond Lyme Disease and focus on the entire spectrum of chronic vector-borne infections.

Using advanced testing, we evaluate:
✅ Borrelia (Lyme)
✅ Bartonella, Babesia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Mycoplasma
✅ Immune markers and inflammation levels
✅ Toxic load from infections, mold, and other environmental factors

Rather than a one-size-fits-all antibiotic approach, we develop personalized treatment plans based on which infections are present and how they are affecting the immune system.

It’s time to shift the “Lyme light” and focus on comprehensive care for all vector-borne infections—not just Lyme disease.

If you’ve been told you have chronic Lyme but haven’t found answers, or if you suspect a vector-borne illness but have only been tested for Lyme, we’re here to help uncover the full picture and guide you toward real healing.