There is a blood test for Lyme Disease, but it is not perfect. The test generally produces posi-tive results in the later stages but often turns upfalse negative results in the early stages of infec-tion. Therefore, diagnosis in the early phase isfrequently based on symptoms and the likelihoodof a deer tick bite. Early treatment is important because that is when the disease is most easily conquered byantibiotics. Pets also respond to antibiotic treat-ment. Later stages of the disease take longer to resolve and are often treated by injection orintravenous administration of antibiotics. The Lyme Disease diagnostic test is useful in the later stages to distinguish the tick-borne ail-ment from the many conditions Lyme symptomscan mimic. Some of the secondary and tertiary results of Lyme Disease include arthritis – most likelyaffecting large joints such as the knees, facialpalsy, encephalitis, meningitis, heartbeat irregu-larities, depression and memory loss. While many of the Lyme Disease ailments are reversible with antibiotic therapy even in the laterstages, medical experts have issued a special cau-tion for pregnant women because of the potentialfor Lyme Disease spirochetes crossing theplacenta. Mothers-to-be should avoid tick infested areas as much as possible and should seek prompt medi-cal attention if Lyme Disease develops.