Pathogenic Infections

When an individual experiences a brain injury, the blood-brain barrier that typically protects the brain from pathogens becomes ineffective, enabling any harmful organisms in the body to access the brain. One of the most prevalent pathogens that can cause harm is Lyme Disease, frequently accompanied by co-infection and chronic EBV. Across the country, neurologists are actively screening their brain injury patients for Lyme, including those responsible for overseeing NFL players. We have observed that 20% of those who seek help with prolonged post-concussion syndrome end up testing positive for Lyme Disease, including our director, Audrey Lambidakis. Below, you will find comprehensive information about Lyme testing, how the disease is contracted and trusted resources on Lyme.

Study: The prevalence of Lyme disease and associated co-infections in people with chronic post-concussive syndrome

Article: Head Trauma, Neurological Symptoms, and Lyme Disease

Article: Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome: Could Underlying Lyme Disease Be the True Culprit?

Podcast: Listen to our director talk about her experience with a 10-year misdiagnosis of PCS (Post Concussion Syndrome) when, in reality, her symptoms were caused by flared undiagnosed Lyme disease: click here.

Lyme Testing

The best explanation for why Lyme testing is so complex can be understood by watching the award-winning documentary: The Quiet Epidemic

1. The Elisa and Wester Blood blot: These Lyme tests are inaccurate, producing 50% false negatives. If you were tested for Lyme Disease before 2025 and your insurance covered the cost upfront, you most likely received one of these tests. Thankfully, the CDC just (2024) approved a new test developed by IGeneX (see below).

2. IGeneX: The most sensitive Lyme and co-infection test is from Igenex Labs, with 93% sensitivity. Depending on the panel, an Igenex test costs range from $800 to $3,500.

  • Panels: We recommend a panel that includes Lyme and the coinfection; an example is the 4IBL

  • Doctors: Must be ordered by a doctor. Igenex offers a clinical consultant to order doctors. This way, the doctor does not need to be Lyme literate. If you need assistance finding a doctor to order IGeneX, Healing Brainwaves can help you with our partnered virtual doctor.

  • Grants:

    • Low-income patients can apply to LymeTap for a refund of up to 70% if the results are positive.

    • Before testing, low-income patients can also apply for a testing grant through the Lyme Treatment Foundation. 

  • Insurance: Some insurance will cover all or partial cost of an Igenex test: Insurance Form

Podcast on Igenex:

Lyme Time: E25: Igenex Lab Test Q&A w/ Dr. Shah

BetterHealthGuy: E68: Igenex w/ Dr. Jyotsna Shah

3. AcuDart: Highly accurate at-home or in-office blood test kit. Sensitivity is 83%. The only tests with higher sensitivity than AcuDart are the ImmunoBlot from IGeneX. This test is not CDC-approved. We recommend the most comprehensive, including Lyme and coinfections.

4. The Heal Hive: An alternative to getting a straightforward Lyme test is to do the Heal Hive’s blood work bootcamp. The HH is a bee venom immunotherapy program for Lyme disease. The first section of the Heal Hive program is Lab Testing. This gives you “a comprehensive understanding of what is happening in your body and a personalized protocol to guide you through” the next steps. This includes extensive testing through LabCorp and clarity around infections, viruses, autoimmune diseases, etc.

Unfortunately, the roadmap will not be a clinical diagnosis of Lyme as they use the Western Blood Blot and Elisa. However, they also run tests that are indicators of Lyme. If one tests positive using the indicator tests of Lyme, your roadmap will say “indicates Lyme.” The reason this program is recommended is because of the comprehensive testing. We at Healing Brainwaves have not encountered comprehensive testing like this before. If a patient does have Lyme, this program is strongly recommended as the HH will catch all autoimmune diseases and other developed health issues that come from having Lyme.

Podcasts going over Lyme testing:

Contracting Lyme

1. Tick Bites.

A bull’s eye rash is not always present when the disease is transmitted (only 40% of Lyme patients develop a rash).  Nymphal, immature ticks are smaller than a poppyseed and are the most infectious. Nymphs can bite a human undetected because of their size. For more information on tick bites, please visit Global Lyme Alliance.

2. Mother to Child

Lyme has been found to transfer from mother to child. There is a misconception that the mother must have active Lyme to transfer it to her child. This has been disproven. DNA of the bacteria has been found in breast milk as well at the placenta. If a mother tests positive for Lyme Disease, it is strongly recommended that all children be tested, whether the children show symptoms or not.

For more information and studies on Congenital Lyme, please see Mothers Against Lyme and LymeLight Foundation

3. Sexually

  • Lyme has been found in genital fluid; thus, it is presumed sexually transmitted. Preliminary studies have found couples carrying the same Lyme strains. Some Lyme Literate doctors recommend treating Lyme as an STD. If a partner tests positive for Lyme, no matter whether the other partner shows signs of the disease, both partners should be tested. Sexual transmission is under query.

Study: Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy — Sexual transmission of Lyme disease: Challenging the tickborne disease paradigm.

Article: Recent study suggests that Lyme disease can be sexually transmitted


4. Blood Transfusion

  • Unfortunately, blood is not accurately tested for Lyme disease and co-infections; thus, it can be passed to the patient receiving it.