Dr. John Lambert:

No, as the current testing is only the antibody test. That is 50% sensitive. People argue that the other tests done abroad are not valid etc. and there is major controversy in that respect. We need better testing in Ireland and we do not have all possible tests available. A clinical diagnosis can be made but people are not allowed or afraid to make those clinical diagnoses. People should be treated based on history and suspicion, and if patients respond to therapy with antibiotics, as occurs with other infections, we would be on the right track. We do not have optimal testing and not everybody can access those tests. People are restricted in how long they can be treated with antibiotics. A prostate infection can be treated for two or three months with doxycycline but if a person has a devastating Lyme infection he or she can only be treated for three weeks. After that a person is "cured" and treatment should be stopped or there would be consequences. It is a bit of a paradox.