Read up on Lyme disease treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Lyme disease

Key points about treatments

If you have Lyme disease, you should be treated as soon as possible with antibiotics. Antibiotics are drugs that kill the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. If your symptoms don't clear up, you may need more antibiotic treatment.

If you think you might have been bitten by a tick, it's important to look out for the early symptoms of Lyme disease.
If you take

antibiotics
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

antibiotics soon after the infection starts, then you are very likely to make a complete recovery.
Antibiotics are also used to treat later symptoms, such as

arthritis
Arthritis is when your joints become inflamed, making them stiff and painful. There are different kinds of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type. It happens when the cartilage at the end of your bones becomes damaged and then starts to grow abnormally. Rheumatoid arthritis happens because your immune system attacks the lining of your joints.

arthritis.
Antibiotics can have side effects but they are usually mild.
You probably won't be prescribed antibiotics unless your doctor is sure you have Lyme disease.
There are things you can do to keep from getting bitten by ticks. For more information, see How to prevent tick bites.

This information was last updated on Apr 09, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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