Lyme & Vector-Borne Illness

At first sign of any symptom of Lyme disease or vector-borne illness, it’s important to consult with a Lyme literate physician. Alena Zweben, ND, and the team at Market Place Naturopathic in Seattle, Washington perform extensive diagnostic testing to identify vector-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, Babesiosis, Bartonella, and other bacterial, protozoal, and viral pathogens. They then develop a treatment plan that addresses multiple-systemic infectious disease syndrome and resolves  symptoms of chronic infections. If you suspect you may have a vector-borne illness, submit a contact form to request a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation with one of the doctors. 

What are vector-borne illnesses?

Vector-borne illnesses are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. They can be transmitted by animals or insects (vectors), living organisms that pass on infectious pathogens through an insect bite. 

Rarely do patients recall a specific tick-bite, so often transmission of chronic infections isn’t known at the time of an insect bite.  

Some of the most common vectors include:

• Ticks
• Spiders
• Fleas
• Lice
• Black flies 

If you get bitten by an insect vector, you may develop several conditions. Dr. Zweben can help you determine the type of vector-borne illness you have.

Examples of vector-borne illnesses might include: 

• Lyme disease 
• Tick-borne relapsing fever
• Babesiosis 
• Bartonella
• Rocky mountain spotted fever
• Ehrlichiosis
• Parasitic infections
• Viral infections

What symptoms occur if I have Lyme and vector borne illness?

Lyme disease occurs when a tick bite sends a specific type of bacteria into your bloodstream. The bacteria-carrying tick (the black-legged tick) is commonly called a deer tick because it gets the bacteria from deer. However, these ticks also pick up bacteria from birds and mice.

Deer ticks are so small you may not see them. You don’t feel the actual bite, and the tick falls off on its own. That means you may never know you had a tick bite. For this reason, it’s essential to recognize the early and advanced signs of Lyme disease, so you know when to seek treatment.

If you have a vector-borne illness like Lyme disease, you may experience:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle and joint aches
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes
• Skin rash at the site of the bite

Severe symptoms can develop quite rapidly. If you don’t get treatment as soon as you notice the early signs, the bacterial infection can spread to your muscles, joints, nervous system, and heart. Then, you have other symptoms, such as:

• Neck stiffness
• Severe headaches
• Additional rashes
• Swollen knees
• Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone)
• Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Nerve pain
• Shooting pain in your hands or feet
• Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
• Cognitive changes
• Neuropsychiatric changes 

Without prompt treatment, some vector-borne illnesses may turn into a chronic condition.

How are Lyme and vector-borne illness treated?

At Market Place Naturopathic, Dr. Zweben offers comprehensive naturopathic care that effectively treats vector-borne illnesses, including herbal medicine and antibiotic therapies. These approaches work for patients who have had symptoms for multiple decades of their life. 

Dr. Zweben also incorporates treatments to strengthen your body’s natural healing ability. Antimicrobial therapy must be supported by addressing gut and immune function, sleep, adrenal function, neuro-inflammation and optimal detoxification. 

A few examples of naturopathic treatments for vector-borne illnesses include:

• Nutritional IV therapy
• Dietary supplements
• Immune modulation
• Hormone balancing
• Homeopathic remedies
• Detoxification 
• Somatic therapies

If you suspect you or a loved one has Lyme disease or another vector-borne illness, submit a contact form to request a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation with one of the doctors.