CVS Health At Home Lyme Disease Test Kit, 1 CT

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.

How do you get Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Most humans are infected through the bite of small, immature ticks called nymphs. Given their small size, they are difficult to notice, and commonly seek out areas that are covered in hair including the groin, armpits, and scalp. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an infected blacklegged tick that bites you needs to be attached for at least 24 hours before they can transmit Lyme disease to you. If a tick is identified, it needs to be carefully removed with tweezers.

There is NO evidence that Lyme disease can be transmitted from person to person, such as through kissing, touching or sexual contact with a person who has Lyme disease.

If I was bitten by a tick, will I develop Lyme disease?

Many types of ticks exist in the US, but only the blacklegged tick (also called deer tick) is known to possibly be infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Also, not all blacklegged ticks are infected with Lyme disease. Therefore, many people who are bitten by a tick do not develop Lyme disease.

How soon after I find a tick on my body should I get tested for Lyme disease?

It takes the body a few weeks to develop antibodies against Lyme disease. In the first few weeks after being bitten by an infected tick, a Lyme disease test will still likely come back negative. Typically, it is not until 4 to 8 weeks have passed after being bitten by an infected tick that the test is likely to be positive.

Can you get Lyme disease anywhere in the United States?

There are two types of ticks associated with the spread of Lyme disease in the United States:

• The blacklegged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) that spreads the disease in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States.

• The western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) that spreads the disease on the Pacific Coast.

Can Lyme disease be treated?

If Lyme disease is detected through a diagnostic test, these results should be shared with your health care provider. They will likely prescribe antibiotics. Typically, a two-week to four-week course of oral antibiotics is ordered. If left untreated, Lyme disease can have a negative impact on your health.

What is the difference between the IgM and IgG antibodies for Lyme disease?

The body makes different types of antibodies to fight different things. Lyme disease testing evaluated Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the blood.

IgM are the first antibodies produced by the body in response to an infection. If you have a high concentration of IgM antibodies in your blood, this may indicate that you have recently contracted Lyme disease. Positive IgM results should be disregarded if you have been ill for more than 30 days.

IgG antibodies are the most abundant type of antibody in your body, and their job is to fight viral and bacterial infections. If you have a high level of IgG antibodies and a low level of IgM antibodies, this indicates you may have been infected with Lyme disease for a long period of time. IgG antibodies may remain elevated for months or even years after treatment, so testing for IgG is not a good indicator of successful treatment.

What type of sample do I have to provide for the Lyme disease test?

To put it simply: a simple finger stick can be done at home to collect the sample needed

This test is done using a small sample of blood. In your sample collection test kit, you will receive the materials you need to collect your sample. You will warm your hands under running water and clean them using the alcohol prep pad included in your supplies. Then, you will twist off the cap of the lancet pen and press it onto your fingertip to puncture the skin. You will collect a few drops of blood on the enclosed card and mail the sample to our lab, using the enclosed pre-paid shipping materials.

Is there any special preparation I have to do for the Lyme disease test?

This test does NOT require fasting. Follow the instructions in your testing kit for warming and cleaning your fingertip in preparation for collecting your sample.

How do I know if the Lyme disease test is a good fit for me?

You may want to test for Lyme disease if you:

• Found a tick on your skin that was present for at least 24 hours

• May have been exposed to ticks infected with Lyme disease

• Have symptoms of Lyme disease

• Go hiking or spend time outdoors often in the Pacific coast, northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central areas of the United States

What will my Lyme disease test results tell me?

Your Lyme disease test results will tell you the levels in your blood for:

• IgM antibodies

• IgG antibodies

Your results will also explain what these levels may indicate, as well as the next steps you may want to consider. The results of this test do not diagnose a disease or condition, nor do they recommend a specific medication or treatment. It is recommended you share positive results with your health care provider to discuss if additional screening is needed, as it is possible for a false positive test for Lyme disease to occur due to other bacterial infections mistakenly being reported as a positive Lyme antibody test. Also, if your symptoms persist but you tested negative for Lyme disease, you may have tested too soon after you were bitten for your body to have produced enough antibodies to be detectable. Your health care provider may recommend testing again if you are symptomatic.