Lyme Science Blog

Why Lyme Disease in Older Adults Requires Extra Caution OLDER ADULTS FACE UNIQUE RISKS WITH LYME DISEASE Lyme disease in older adults presents challenges that standard treatment approaches do not always address. Older patients may face cognitive changes, medication sensitivity, fall risk, and multiple chronic conditions that complicate both diagnosis and recovery. Why Elderly Lyme […]

15 Celebrities with Lyme Disease Speaking Out 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 Lyme disease may mimic juvenile arthritis in children. Neurologic symptoms can emerge as the illness progresses. Delayed diagnosis may lead to unnecessary immunosuppression. At 16, Emma’s rheumatologist told her she would likely need lifelong medication for juvenile arthritis. Six months later, antibiotics resolved her symptoms completely. The diagnosis

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. Clinical

His Doctor Gave Up on His Lyme Disease — But He Didn’t Persistent symptoms may continue after standard Lyme treatment. Many patients feel abandoned when symptoms remain unexplained. Recovery sometimes begins when someone keeps searching for answers. Sometimes the hardest part of Lyme disease isn’t the infection itself — it’s what happens when a doctor

Can I Donate Blood After Lyme Disease—or Is It Unsafe? Lyme disease is not known to spread through blood transfusion. Most blood donation centers allow donation after treatment once patients are symptom-free and no longer taking antibiotics. The greater transfusion concern involves Babesia, a tick-borne parasite that can survive in stored blood. Can you donate

Brain Fog and Lyme Disease: The Overlooked Cognitive Symptom Brain fog is one of the most common and disabling cognitive symptoms in Lyme disease. It is frequently misattributed to stress, anxiety, or burnout rather than recognized as neurologic. Infection-driven neuroinflammation can disrupt memory, concentration, and processing speed even when tests appear normal. “I used to

Babesia Testing Errors Can Delay Treatment Babesia testing is not always reliable. False negatives can delay treatment. She came to my office exhausted after six months of fevers, sweats, and crushing fatigue. Her initial testing for Babesia was negative. It wasn’t confirmed until much later, after PCR and antibody testing were positive. But by then,

Painful Feet in Lyme Disease: Why Symptoms Worsen at Night Painful feet in Lyme disease are often caused by nerve irritation or small fiber neuropathy rather than a simple foot problem. You stand up to walk to the bathroom at night—and wince. The soles of your feet ache like you’re stepping on broken glass. By