Lyme Science Blog

When Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines Don’t Work: PTLDS and Clinical Decisions What happens when Lyme disease guidelines don’t fit? How should clinicians approach persistent symptoms? Ethics and uncertainty shape real-world decisions. Lyme disease treatment guidelines provide structure for care, but post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) guidelines do not always account for every clinical scenario. When […]

Lyme Disease Co-infections: What You Need to Know Lyme disease co-infections occur when a single tick bite transmits multiple pathogens. Up to 40% of Lyme patients in some regions also carry Babesia, Bartonella, Anaplasmosis, or Ehrlichia—yet these infections are frequently missed. When co-infections go unrecognized, patients don’t fully recover. Standard Lyme treatment won’t clear a

Borrelia miyamotoi: What You Need to Know Borrelia miyamotoi is a tick-borne bacterium that causes relapsing fever. It is transmitted by the same ticks that spread Lyme disease but can cause different symptoms. Unlike Lyme disease, Borrelia miyamotoi does not typically cause a bull’s-eye rash. Understanding Borrelia miyamotoi – What is Borrelia miyamotoi? – What

Powassan Virus: What You Need to Know Powassan virus is a rare but serious tick-borne illness that can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Unlike Lyme disease, Powassan virus can be transmitted within minutes of a tick bite. For an overview, see Powassan virus. Understanding

When Lyme Disease Is Missed: A Case from My Practice A Lyme disease missed diagnosis often begins quietly—when key diagnoses are never considered. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had a new patient on my schedule—someone who specifically requested a consultation for Lyme disease. Before the visit, I reviewed her chart, expecting to see

Lyme Disease Loneliness: Why Patients Feel Isolated “No one really understands.” Many Lyme patients feel this. Loneliness can become part of the illness. Lyme disease loneliness can be one of the most difficult parts of living with chronic illness. One patient once said, “No one really understands what this feels like.” That quiet sentence reflects

Lyme Treatment Abandonment: Ethical or Not? Stopping Lyme treatment is often framed as a clinical decision based on guidelines—but what if it’s something more troubling? Many patients still experience symptoms like pain, brain fog, or fatigue long after standard antibiotics end. Yet they’re told, “There’s nothing more we can do.” Is stopping treatment at that

How Do You Get Lyme Disease? Ticks, Transmission, and Hidden Risks How do you get Lyme disease? Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. These ticks can also carry other pathogens, meaning a single bite may transmit multiple infections. Quick Answer: You get Lyme disease from the bite of an

Lyme Disease Test Accuracy: Timing, Limitations, and Clinical Diagnosis Lyme disease test accuracy is often misunderstood. Many patients assume that a negative Lyme disease test rules out infection. In reality, Lyme disease test accuracy depends heavily on timing, and current laboratory tests have important limitations—especially early in infection. Most Lyme disease testing relies on detecting