Lyme Science Blog

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

Why Lyme Disease Feels So Isolating (Even When You’re Not Alone) Why does Lyme disease feel so isolating? Symptoms can disrupt connection. And many patients feel misunderstood. Lyme disease loneliness is a common but often overlooked part of chronic illness. Many patients report feeling isolated—not just physically, but emotionally and socially. Key Question: Why does

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

The Duty to Stay: What Ethical Lyme Disease Care Requires Abandoning Lyme patients violates the core principles of medical ethics. A woman in her 40’s came to me after months of searching for answers. She had been a successful business executive, traveling weekly and leading a large team. Now, she could barely get through a

Lyme Disease Weight Gain and Weight Loss: Why Both Happen Lyme disease weight gain and weight loss can both occur—and often confuse patients. Some lose weight rapidly without trying. Others gain weight despite eating the same or less. These changes are not random. They reflect how Lyme disease disrupts metabolism, inflammation, hormones, gut function, sleep,

Tired but Wired in Lyme Disease: Why Your Brain Won’t Shut Off “My body is exhausted, but my brain won’t shut off.” This is one of the most common—and confusing—patterns patients describe. You feel completely drained, yet your mind stays active. Your body needs sleep, but your system won’t settle. This “tired but wired” pattern