Lyme Science Blog

Babesia Blood Donation: When Screening Finds Infection Babesia blood screening saved this patient from months more of misdiagnosis. A routine donation uncovered what his doctors had missed all summer. A week after his donation, a letter arrived with the words no one expects to see: Your donation has tested positive for Babesia. In that moment, […]

Pain Behind the Eyes in Lyme Disease: Why It Happens With Normal Exams Pain behind the eyes in Lyme disease can persist even when eye exams and imaging are normal. Key Insight: If your eye pain comes and goes, worsens with fatigue or stress, and tests are normal, the problem may be how the nervous

Lyme Red Flag: “You Need to See a Psychiatrist” — When Symptoms Are Misdiagnosed One of the most painful things a patient can hear is: “You need to see a psychiatrist.” Lyme disease psychiatric symptoms can include anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and cognitive changes that are often misdiagnosed as primary mental illness. For many living

Lyme Treatment Risks: Antibiotics vs. Chronic Illness When we talk about Lyme treatment risks, the conversation often stops at the potential downsides of antibiotics. But in chronic Lyme disease, the greater danger may be the risks of leaving the infection only partially treated. Understanding both sides of the equation is essential to making an informed

When Is Deer Tick Season? When Lyme Disease Risk Is Highest When is deer tick season—and when is Lyme disease risk highest? The answer depends on the tick’s life stage, but the greatest risk occurs in late spring and early summer when tiny nymph ticks are most active. Key Insight: The highest risk of Lyme

Why Elderly Lyme Disease Patients Face Unique Challenges Treating elderly Lyme disease patients presents a hidden challenge. Older adults bring unique vulnerabilities—cognitive changes, multiple chronic conditions, and increased sensitivity to medications—that standard treatment guidelines don’t fully address. Lyme disease treatment in elderly patients requires individualized care that balances infection control with age-related risks. Elderly patients

Celebrities: Shining a spotlight on Lyme Disease The topic of celebrities suffering with Lyme disease has made headlines for years. And with good reason. When Justin Bieber announced his Lyme diagnosis in January 2020, social media erupted — not with sympathy, but skepticism. Trolls accused him of making excuses for his appearance and behavior. His

When Lyme Disease Looks Like Juvenile Arthritis JOINT PAIN IN A CHILD—BUT SOMETHING DOESN’T FIT? COULD IT BE LYME DISEASE? At 16, Emma’s rheumatologist told her she would likely need lifelong medication for juvenile arthritis. Six months later, antibiotics cured her completely. Quick Answer: Lyme disease can mimic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, causing joint swelling, fatigue,

Does the Size of the Tick Matter for Lyme Disease? Most people worry when they find a tick, but few realize that its size can change everything. Does a smaller tick mean lower risk — or greater danger? Yes and No. The size of the tick matters for the early detection of Lyme disease. Understanding