Positive screen

Hello, I am posting because I received blood work results yesterday after going to the doctor for fatigue. He sent me for a bunch of tests last week. The nurse told me that I tested positive/antibodies for a past epstein barr infection, and that i also tested positive for lyme but after a more specific test (im assuming western blot), it was negative. I asked what this meant and if it was a false-positive test. The woman did not have much information to offer. I asked what would cause a false-positive or if i needed to be re-tested. she said that I should consider getting tested again because maybe not enough time passed? I also did some research and found that the epstein-barr can cause false positives, is this true? I am basically looking for some information/direction because the woman I spoke with wasnt very much help and the false-positive freaked me out. (Also, i do not recall a tick bite,dont really spend time outdoors except for the beach in NJ. No real symptoms now.) Thanks!

[patsy10]

EBV can become active due to suppression of the immune system from lyme.  There are few false positives but many false negatives.  I would get an evaluation from a doctor who specializes in lyme.

NJ is a lyme endemic state.  You can get a tick on you just from walking through tall grass.  They are very small and hard to see.

[rainyday562]

Thank you for your insight. Now that I think about it, when i was in Mexico in April, i noticed a red rash on my upper thigh, i showed it to everyone and no one knew what it was. I dont know if it was a bulls eye per se, but it was definitely an odd shape and lasted for a few weeks, i figured it was sunburn or a bruise but it was red. I never had a doctor look at it, approximately how long after the tick bite does a rash usually appear? come to think of it,i spent lots of time outdoors in march-may. is PA a lyme endemic state like NJ? how long before you would test positive for lyme?

[patsy10]

PA is an endemic state as well.

The rash can show up from one day to one month after the bite.

It can take several weeks for the body to form antibodies.  Some people never form antibodies but still have it.  The testing is not very accurate.

It is also possible you were bitten prior to going to Mexico and the rash just happened to show up at that time you were there.

[JackieCalifornia]

patsy10 is right, following up with a Lyme specialist is a very good idea.  There is a website called ILADS [dot] org that has the ability to provide names of those who take a more progressive view than many MDs.  You can also google 'how to find an LLMD' -- that being slang for 'Lyme Literate MDs', who take a more progressive and serious view of Lyme.  (Many, many MDs are either not well informed or they are not very believing that there is anything they don't already know -- there is a huge split in the medical community about Lyme and how to diagnose and treat it, so a large majority of MDs will not treat or not diagnose or not treat for long enough.)  

The sooner you get re-tested, the better (and there are better tests than the two most MDs use).  Good luck, let us know how you do.