Because the symptoms of a tick bite are so broad, victims of Lyme disease are often misdiagnosed. Ranging from typical arthritis pains and rashes to fatigue and depression, there could be various medical conditions causing these symptoms. However, anyone who has been bitten by a tick knows the inherent urgency that follows to be appropriately diagnosed and treated to prevent further complications. Each case is unique, which is why the dangers of a Lyme disease misdiagnosis can have detrimental consequences. If you’ve suffered from Lyme disease and have been misdiagnosed, contact your experienced professional NYC Disease Malpractice Attorney today to build your personal injury case.
Lyme Disease Facts
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that is most commonly found in the Northeastern United States and upper midwestern states. However, according to a recent report by Quest Diagnostics, Lyme disease is present in all 50 states, including Washington, D.C. While it’s more prevalent in the Northeastern United States, such as New York, it doesn’t mean you’re not at risk if you live elsewhere. What’s more, Lyme disease also exists in at least 65 countries worldwide.
Up significantly from previous years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that approximately 476,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported annually in the United States alone. While it’s uncommon, Lyme disease can result in death if left undiagnosed and untreated.
As we explained above, Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed, and can be diagnosed as:
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Depression
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
A Common Misdiagnosis
The symptoms of both Lyme Disease and RA are similar, causing confusion to the patient and wrongful diagnosis and treatment.
Lyme disease symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Sweats
- Joint pain
- Depression
- Heart irregularities
- Cognitive symptoms
- Bell’s Palsy
- Neuropathy
Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms include:
- Joint stiffness
- Swollen joints
- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
The Dangers of Misdiagnosis
Most often, people who have been bitten by an infected tick show the hallmark sign of a red “bullseye rash” with concentric circles surrounding it. However, this isn’t always the case, and if there are no obvious signs of a tick bite, doctors might dismiss the possibility altogether. What’s more, people don’t always know they’ve been bitten.
The gold standard for diagnosing Lyme disease is by conducting a blood test to check for antibodies in the potentially infected person. However, since everyone’s body is different, it takes time for the body to develop a sufficient number of antibodies to show up on the blood test. This is a major reason why victims are often cleared of Lyme disease when they are actually infected. When rapidly diagnosed, the condition can be treated simply with antibiotics.
If caught and treated promptly, the early stages of Lyme disease can be halted. If left unchecked, victims of this tick-borne illness are at risk for more severe symptoms that present themselves in later stages of the disease. What started out as mere discomfort and fatigue can escalate to mental health issues, heart and neurological conditions. What’s more, Lyme disease victims are prone to developing other severe and chronic conditions, such as RA, if left untreated.
Because of the rampancy of Lyme disease in New York, your doctor must be vigilant in listening to you and evaluating your symptoms to properly treat you. A Lyme disease misdiagnosis can have lasting repercussions.
Contact Your Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you have received a wrong diagnosis and your Lyme disease was left unchecked and untreated, an NYC Medical Malpractice lawyer can help. We understand the frustration of a misdiagnosis and the dire consequences of this disease, and we have helped thousands of injury victims receive the help and monetary reward for pain and suffering which they deserve. Contact the law offices of Ronemus & Vilensky today by calling 212-779-7070, or filling out our free, no-obligation quote form today.
