Lyme disease can mimic many other diseases, making it hard for clinicians to diagnosis it quickly. Marcie Fraser reports.

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Within the first two weeks of Lyme disease, symptoms can include a bulls-eye rash and flu like symptoms.

Allison and Noelle both had Lyme disease symptoms and both tested negative for Lyme disease. No other doctors would treat them, but an integrated medical expert, Dr. Ron Stram did.

Because of their symptoms, Dr. Stram treated them as if they did have Lyme disease, and they are both getting better. But why did they both test negative for Lyme?

"We don't know. There is a possibility that the strains are evolving and the diagnostic test are not as accurate now. The other possibility is the patients may have a clinical disease that is mimicking Lyme disease or another tick borne illness that we have not yet elucidated," said Dr. Jennifer Rowley, HHHN, Infectious Disease Specialist.

Guidelines for treatment do depend on a positive test. The treatment varies. It begins with oral antibiotics and if the patient becomes chronic, intravenous antibiotic treatment can be prescribed, but not all professionals agree.

"The CDC and the Infectious Disease Society of America do not support ongoing treatment for chronic Lyme patients," said Dr. Rowley.

But there are other organizations that do support ongoing treatment.

"The International Lyme Disease Association Society who support ongoing for antibiotic treatment for chronic Lyme patients and where the truth is in evolution and we need more research in terms of determining in what we need to do for these chronic Lyme patients," said Dr. Rowley.

Dr. Stram uses antibiotics and supplements. He also believes that what you don't eat plays a role in fighting the disease.

One of the culprits is sugar.

"Because of the breakdown of sugar into fructose and glucose, it seems to like that if you avoid that you less of environment that helps the bacteria grow," said Dr. Stram.

For more information, visit www.stramcenter.com.