Most Accurate Lyme Test for Knee Fluid/Fluid Around Knee?

After the Biopsy, what test would be best to test for an inflammed knee after antick bite. They will be taking fluid from my one of my friends knees.

birthdaysuit -

Probably a PCR test - but not by much. There just aren't any reliable tests. Your friend's best bet is to get to a Lyme specialist who can evaluate from a clinical perspective, take into consideration exposure and symptoms and other health history.

With a symptom as obvious as a swollen knee after a tick bite, the goal is to get on abx immediately--not wait around for tests and multiple appts with MDs, etc. Depending on how long it's been, testing might not do any good - typically, the recommended wait after a bite is 3-4 wks min.

First -
If I were your friend I would try to go to ER -or his/her regular MD- and get a prophylactic course and maybe a refill of 200mg doxy twice/day. MDs generally underprescribe only 100mg. You could "double up" and then get "creative" about getting Rx refilled. And then we can help your friend find a Lyme specialist in his/her geographical area.

If your friend has no luck getting a prophylactic course, you can suggest they start taking astragalus, an antimicrobial herb that many use for prevention.

Second -
While he/she is waiting to test with a Western Blot - an immune booster like olive leaf extract might provoke a stronger immune response and therefore, more accurate results.

You are being a great friend trying to help troubleshoot!

-p

i think she is asking about testing the fluid from the knee biopsy...not doing a blood test afterwards.