Covid and Lyme Blog

Lyme Disease and Long COVID: Nearly 1 in 5 Developed Long COVID Nearly 1 in 5 individuals with Lyme disease history developed Long COVID. Neurologic symptoms and fatigue were especially common. This peer-reviewed study examined 889 individuals with prior Lyme disease. In my peer-reviewed study published in the journal Antibiotics (2023), I examined the experiences […]

COVID Vaccine and Lyme Disease: A Patient Describes Side Effects A woman with chronic Lyme disease shares her vaccine experience. Researchers examined symptom burden after COVID-19 vaccination. Most symptoms after vaccination were mild and short-lived. Case A 28-year-old single white Latina woman with a history of a tick bite and erythema migrans rash contracted Lyme

COVID Vaccine Side Effects in Lyme Disease Patients Most patients tolerate vaccines well Symptom burden did not increase Mild side effects were common Temporary flares were uncommon Some individuals with Lyme disease worry that symptoms could worsen after COVID-19 vaccination. Available research suggests that most patients tolerate vaccination well, with no increase in overall symptom

Lyme Disease and COVID-19 Symptoms Highlights Question: What is the clinical presentation of individuals with a history of Lyme disease who later develop COVID-19? Findings: In a cross-sectional survey of 1,168 individuals with Lyme disease, the highest symptom burden occurred among the 288 participants who reported both Lyme disease and COVID-19. Nearly one in five

Can COVID Make Lyme Disease Worse? Long COVID Risk Explained Can COVID worsen Lyme disease symptoms? Are Lyme patients at higher risk for long COVID? New cases suggest a higher symptom burden. COVID and Lyme disease symptoms can overlap in ways that are difficult to recognize. Some patients with a history of Lyme disease report

Severity of Lyme disease even without contracting COVID-19 or being vaccinated against COVID-19 findings HIGHLIGHTS Question: What is the clinical presentation of someone with a history of Lyme disease who has not contracted COVID-19 or taken the COVID-19 vaccine? Findings: This cross-sectional Survey reveals a high symptom burden in 289 individuals with a history of

In for the Long Haul: Lyme & COVID-19 This video is about a free webinar Q&A with Jennifer Crystal, noted Lyme patient and writer, on COVID-19 and Lyme disease in 2021. The video was sponsored by Global Lyme Alliance. This webinar Q&A helped inspire me to devote the past year to sponsor a COVID &

Lyme Disease and COVID: Does COVID Worsen Symptoms? Survey Findings COVID may worsen Lyme disease symptoms. Vaccinated patients reported fewer symptoms. Responses varied—but patterns are clear. Does COVID worsen Lyme disease symptoms? In a survey of 782 individuals with Lyme disease, participants who had COVID reported a significantly higher burden of illness—particularly neurologic and fatigue-related

Increase in tick bites during COVID-19 pandemic “The data suggested that individuals were more likely to spend time outside, more likely to visit the CDC website describing tick bite removal, were less likely to visit an ER, and tested for Lyme disease,” according to the authors.¹ Approximately 50% of U.S. residents spent more time outdoors

Lyme Disease COVID-19 Children: Share Your Experience In this episode, I discuss Lyme disease COVID-19 children and how the pandemic has affected children living with Lyme disease. I would appreciate your help by having your child share their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic—even if they have not had COVID-19 or received the COVID-19 vaccine. Your