Lyme Science Blog

Sudden Behavioral Changes in Children With Lyme Disease Behavior changes can appear suddenly Symptoms may seem psychiatric or neurologic Lyme disease may affect mood, behavior, and emotional regulation Lyme disease child behavior changes may include irritability, aggression, anxiety, emotional outbursts, personality changes, and oppositional behavior. These changes may appear abruptly in children who previously functioned […]

Can Lyme Disease Cause Bell’s Palsy or Facial Palsy? A sudden facial droop may be called Bell’s palsy In Lyme regions, facial palsy may point to Lyme disease Early recognition can change evaluation and treatment Lyme disease Bell’s palsy is an important consideration when a child or adult suddenly develops facial weakness, facial droop, or

PANS, Lyme Disease, and OCD Symptoms in Children Sudden OCD symptoms may resemble PANS Some children with Lyme disease develop neuropsychiatric symptoms Careful evaluation may identify infectious triggers Some children with Lyme disease develop sudden behavioral or psychiatric symptoms that resemble pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections

Can Lyme Disease Cause Stomach Pain and GI Symptoms in Children? Children with Lyme disease may develop stomach pain or digestive symptoms GI symptoms may reflect autonomic dysfunction or neurologic involvement Abdominal pain alone rarely means Lyme disease Lyme disease can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in children, particularly when the infection affects the nervous system or

When Lyme Arthritis in Children Is Mistaken for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Lyme arthritis in children can resemble juvenile idiopathic arthritis because both conditions may cause knee swelling, limping, stiffness, and reduced activity. Recognizing this overlap is important. Lyme arthritis in children is a treatable infectious condition that often presents as a swollen knee with surprisingly

Herxheimer Reaction in Lyme Disease: What Happens After Treatment Starts < A Herxheimer reaction may occur after Lyme disease treatment begins Symptoms can temporarily worsen due to inflammation Careful monitoring may be important during early treatment A Herxheimer reaction, also known as the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR), is a temporary inflammatory response that may occur after