What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you've been bitten by a tick, especially a black-legged tick, and want to know whether it was carrying Borrelia miyamotoi, the bacteria behind a tick-borne relapsing fever illness. It's also useful if you're a hunter, hiker, gardener, or outdoor worker who found a tick on your skin or clothing and want to check it for this specific organism. Keep in mind this test checks the tick itself, not your blood, so it tells you about exposure risk rather than confirming an infection in your body.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with a clear explanation of what a positive or negative finding means. If the tick tests positive, a practical next step is to watch yourself closely for symptoms like fever, chills, headache, or muscle aches over the next few weeks and consider separate human testing if symptoms appear. The standard lab report can be downloaded directly from your account, and if you submit multiple ticks over time, you can track those results using the trends feature. If you develop symptoms after a positive tick result, seek medical care promptly since early treatment works best.

Who should consider this test?

Anyone who has removed an attached tick, particularly a black-legged (deer) tick, from themselves, a family member, or a pet is a good candidate for this test. People who spend a lot of time outdoors in wooded or grassy areas, such as hikers, campers, landscapers, and hunters, may also want to test ticks they encounter as a precaution. It's especially useful in regions where tick-borne illnesses are common, since knowing what a tick was carrying helps you decide how closely to monitor your health afterward.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

If you've recently found a tick attached to your skin, that alone is reason enough to consider this test, even before symptoms appear. Watch for early warning signs after a bite such as fever, chills, headache, muscle or joint aches, and fatigue, since these can show up with Borrelia miyamotoi infection. A distinctive symptom pattern to note is recurring or relapsing fever, which can be a hallmark of this particular tick-borne illness. If you notice any of these symptoms after a tick bite, testing the tick can help clarify what you may have been exposed to.

When will I get my results?

Results for this tick DNA test are typically ready within about 7 days from when the lab receives your sample. You'll be notified as soon as your results are posted to your account, so there's no need to call or check in manually. If you're monitoring for symptoms in the meantime, keep track of how you're feeling, since symptoms can appear before or around the same time as your results come back.

How can I naturally support recovery if a tick bite occurred?

While there's no natural remedy that treats a confirmed infection, you can support your body's resilience by staying well-hydrated, eating a nutrient-rich diet, and getting enough sleep in the days and weeks after a tick bite. Keeping the bite area clean and monitoring it daily for changes like an expanding rash can help you catch problems early. Reducing overall stress and inflammation through regular light activity and a balanced diet supports your immune system's ability to respond to any exposure. These steps are supportive only — they don't replace prompt attention if symptoms develop.

What is Borrelia miyamotoi and why does it matter?

Borrelia miyamotoi is a type of bacteria carried by the same black-legged ticks that can carry Lyme disease, but it causes a different illness known as a relapsing fever. It matters because its symptoms, like recurring fevers, chills, and body aches, can be mistaken for other illnesses or missed entirely, delaying appropriate care. Testing the tick directly gives you useful information about your risk right after a bite, before symptoms even start. Because this illness is less well-known than Lyme disease, awareness and early detection are especially important.

What does a positive result mean?

A positive result means the tick that bit you (or that you found) was carrying Borrelia miyamotoi DNA, which means there was a chance the bacteria could have been passed to you during the bite. It does not automatically mean you are infected — human infection needs to be confirmed with separate testing on a blood sample if you develop symptoms. In the meantime, monitor yourself closely for fever, chills, headache, or fatigue over the following weeks. If any of these symptoms appear, seek medical care so you can get evaluated and, if needed, treated early.

How often should I retest?

There's no routine retesting schedule for this test since it's meant to check a specific tick after a specific bite, not something you monitor over time like a blood biomarker. You would only test again if you encounter a new tick bite in the future. If you frequently spend time in tick-prone areas, it's a good habit to test any attached tick you find as a precaution each time.

What should I do if my results are abnormal?

If your tick tests positive for Borrelia miyamotoi, don't panic — a positive tick result doesn't mean you're automatically infected. Start tracking your health closely for the next several weeks, noting any fever, chills, headaches, joint pain, or unusual fatigue. Keep the downloadable lab report on hand in case you need to reference it if symptoms show up. If symptoms do develop, seek medical care right away, since early evaluation and treatment lead to the best outcomes for tick-borne illnesses.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Borrelia miyamotoi Tick Test - Tick-Borne Illness Check

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

[email protected]