4 ms·

this summer, I got a tick bite. I immediately went to go get a prophylactic antibiotic (doxycycline). You'd think that the pharmacist could just give me some

this summer, I got a tick bite. I immediately went to go get a prophylactic antibiotic (doxycycline). You'd think that the pharmacist could just give me some over the counter, but I had to go to a clinic and get a prescription – felt kinda absurd. I wonder how much Lyme disease is attributable to the inconvenience of the process, especially in USA where American are scared of obscure + outrageous medical fees.

Noumenon72 7y ago
We don't want 99 people taking antibiotics for every one who gets cured (about the rate most tick bites have of giving Lyme disease), so maybe a bit of gatekeeping is appropriate here. At least to ask "Has it been on you for 36 hours?" Antibiotics have a major effect on your gut flora and I don't take them lightly.
- JoeAltmaier 7y ago
  That sounds bad, but what's the 'false negative' penalty? (Not getting antibiotics when you needed to). Pretty high - getting Lyme disease. If it was your kid, I'm thinking we'd all do it.
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