Are you looking for Lyme disease treatment or other tick-borne diseases treatment? The TBD Clinic specialises in tick-borne diseases.
What are Lyme Disease and other tick-borne infections?
There are many types of tick-borne infections, as well as different strains of each infection. These are infections that are carried by ticks and given to the animal it bites, e.g. humans. The most well-known tick-borne infection is Lyme Disease, also known as Borrelia. Other infections include Bartonella, Babesia, Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Ehrlichia and others.
When does one get treated for Lyme Disease and tick-borne infections?
The earlier Lyme and other tick-borne infections are diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. If you suspect you have been bitten by a tick, it is recommended that you contact your GP or a Lyme and tick-borne diseases specialist, such as the TBD Clinic.
Who provides treatment for Lyme Disease and tick-borne infections?
In the UK, treatment for Lyme infection is generally provided by a General Practitioner (GP) or a tick-borne infection specialist, such as the clinicians at the TBD Clinic.
If you developed the bull’s eye rash (also known as the Erythema Migrans or EM rash), a valid diagnosis of Lyme according to the NICE guidelines (National Institute for health and Care Excellence), antibiotic treatment of 21 days is recommended, without testing being required in order to treat.
What treatment is provided for Lyme Disease and tick-borne diseases?
At the TBD Clinic, our focus is on our patients and the treatment of their disease.
Our specialists create treatment plans according to each patient’s needs. The TBD Clinic treatment plans provided to patients may include different types of medications, such as antibiotics, e.g. a tetracycline, herbals and supplements.
Different treatment options are recommended for children, young people and adults. The TBD Clinic currently treats ages 16 and above and the article below relates to possible treatment options provided by the TBD Clinic.
Medication Treatment for Tick-borne Diseases and Symptoms
Where needed, the TBD Clinicians will prescribe medications, including antibiotics, anti-fungals, anti-parasitics and other tick-borne diseases medications, to treat symptoms following your clinical assessment.
Herbal Treatment for Tick-borne Diseases and Symptoms
In some cases, herbal treatment protocols may be recommended. While the clinicians at the TBD Clinic are not herbalists, they can create herbal treatment protocols when advisable. These protocols are tailored to the individual needs of the patient and are used as standalone treatment plans or to complement conventional medication treatment.
Working with other Professionals
We understand that the management of tick-borne diseases can be complex and are willing to work together with other professionals in the NHS or private sector. Professionals include herbalists, functional practitioners, nutritionists, MTHFR & MCAS practitioners, other clinics, hospitals etc.
How long will I receive treatment for Lyme Disease and tick-borne diseases?
Duration of treatment varies from person to person. The TBD Clinic is a patient-centred clinic and treatment plans are tailored to each patient and their individual needs.
During your appointment, a clinical assessment will take place to assess these needs. Each patient’s needs will be depend on:
- Previous and current symptoms
- A recent tick bite or history of previous tick bite(s)
- What type of tick-borne infections are present, e.g. Lyme (Borrelia), Bartonella, Babesia etc
- Patient’s body’s response to the tick-borne infections
- Patient’s body’s response to the treatment plan
- Other chronic infections
It is crucial to follow the prescribed treatment plan, including completing recommended course(s) of antibiotics. Regular consultations, typically scheduled every three months, allow for clinical assessments and adjustments to the treatment plan as needed. Further investigations, such as blood tests, may also be conducted to monitor the patient’s progress.
Acute and “Chronic” Lyme Disease and other tick-borne disease treatment
Acute Lyme and tick-borne disease treatment:
This treatment is provided to patients with a recent tick bite (a bite that has taken place within the last 4 weeks). This treatment duration may be shorter and will usually last for about 3-6 weeks. After an initial Recent Tick Bite Consultation, a follow up consultation may be scheduled to monitor patient progress and consider if further treatment is required.
Please contact us as soon as possible after a suspected tick-bite as urgent treatment may be needed.
“Chronic” Lyme Disease and tick-borne disease treatment:
This treatment is for patients who have “Chronic” Lyme and other tickborne diseases. “Chronic” Lyme (also referred to as Late-stage Lyme Disease, Long-Lyme, persistent Lyme Disease and Chronic Borreliosis) as well as other “Chronic” tick-borne diseases, in this context refers to patients who have tick-borne diseases’ symptoms for longer than 3-months.
Some patients experience persistent symptoms even after initial antibiotic treatment. Chronic cases of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases infection require ongoing treatment and management. The TBD Clinic’s clinical team specialises in the management of long-term symptoms associated with chronic Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Chronic treatment duration varies and will be tailored to each patient’s needs and depends on several factors, such as patients with other illnesses, patient medication tolerance etc.
Other Urgent Treatment for Tick-borne diseases
There are times when tick-borne disease infection cause conditions that may require more urgent treatment in line with NICE guidelines, e.g. hospitalisation for intravenous (IV) antibiotics. These conditions include:
- Lyme carditis
- Neuroborreliosis
- Tick-borne encephalitis
The combination of NHS and specialist tickborne disease knowledge and experience, enables our clinicians to advocate for our patients (with their consent) and collaborate with the NHS to provide timely and effective treatment, as in the examples above.
Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines
Treatment guidelines are recommendations for healthcare professionals about the care of patients with specific conditions.
In the United Kingdom, there are treatment guidelines on the NICE and UKHSA websites . Further information regarding this can be found at:
- NICE guidelines for Lyme, Borrelia – Overview | Lyme disease | Guidance | NICE
- UKHSA information on Lyme, Borrelia – What is Lyme disease and why do we need to be tick-aware? – UK Health Security Agency (blog.gov.uk)
- UKHSA information on Bartonella – Bartonella: diagnostic and reference services – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
More comprehensive guidelines are available from the International Lyme and Associated Infections Society (ILADS) for Borrelia, Bartonella, Babesia and other tick-borne diseases.
The TBD Clinic team are members of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) and as such, subscribe to the treatment guidelines therein, as well as those of its members and by drawing on TBD Clinics empirical evidence.
UK Specialists in Lyme and other Tick-borne Diseases Treatment
The TBD Clinic clinicians specialise in Lyme and tick-borne diseases. We offer comprehensive assessments – including a thorough symptom assessment, diagnosis, and personalise treatment plans for disease treatment and symptom control.
Booking Your Appointment
To book your appointment, please contact the TBD Clinic at 07398 416 917 or info@tbdclinic.com.