Lyme Science Blog

Do You Need Antibiotics After a Tick Bite? Why Doctors Disagree Tick bite antibiotics are one of the most contested decisions in Lyme disease prevention. Depending on which doctor you see, you might get a full course, a single pill, or nothing at all. When it comes to preventing Lyme disease, doctors disagree on the […]

Can Lyme Disease Spread in Under 24 Hours? The Tick Bite Myth Explained Can Lyme disease spread in under 24 hours? Yes—under certain conditions, transmission may occur faster than commonly believed. Many people are told they are safe if a tick is removed within 24–36 hours. This widely repeated advice—known as the 24–36 hour tick

Fiber and Lyme Disease: How Gut Health May Support Recovery STILL DEALING WITH GUT ISSUES AFTER LYME? BLOATING, CONSTIPATION, OR IBS-LIKE SYMPTOMS? COULD FIBER HELP YOUR RECOVERY? Fiber and Lyme disease recovery may be more closely connected than many patients realize. Gut health plays a key role in immune function, and fiber supports the microbiome

Why I Stayed in Lyme Disease Care The Patients Who Changed My Path In 1987, I met three patients who would change the course of my medical career. Each had been diagnosed with Lyme disease. Each had already completed treatment. And yet — each remained ill. At the time, I hadn’t been trained to manage

Shortness of Breath in Lyme Disease: What to Know When It’s Hard to Breathe: Could it be Lyme? Shortness of breath can feel frightening — especially when it strikes without warning or a clear cause. While heart and lung conditions are common culprits, there’s another, often-overlooked possibility: Lyme disease. This tick-borne infection doesn’t just cause

Still Sick After Lyme Treatment? PTLDS or Persistent Infection? Many patients are told their Lyme disease has been treated successfully. But what if the symptoms don’t go away? Quick Answer: Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) may reflect more than a lingering immune response—it may signal persistent infection or co-infection in some patients. Clinical Insight: When

Babesia Treatment Duration: Why 10 Days Isn’t Enough for Some Patients Babesia treatment duration is one of the most misunderstood aspects of managing this co-infection, particularly when symptoms persist beyond standard timelines. Babesia treatment duration often needs to extend beyond standard timelines, especially in patients with persistent symptoms or co-infections. I recently treated a patient

Diagnosing Lyme Disease: A Practical Guide for Primary Care As we continue to grapple with the long-term effects of COVID-19 and deepen our understanding of post-infectious syndromes like Long COVID, it’s become increasingly clear: not all infections resolve cleanly. Some linger, disrupt multiple systems, and defy simplistic explanations. Lyme disease is one of those conditions.

Lyme Disease and Medical Gaslighting: A Barrier to Care Dismissed Lyme Symptoms: When Listening Matters More Than Testing In my practice, I’ve seen patients suffer for years—not just from Lyme disease, but from being told their symptoms weren’t real. They weren’t looking for sympathy. They were looking for answers. Instead, they were dismissed. Patient dismissal

Justin Timberlake Lyme Disease: The “But You Look Good” Myth Lyme Disease but You Look Good: Justin Timberlake and the Myth Lyme disease but you look good—it’s a phrase many patients hear, and few forget. When Justin Timberlake revealed his Lyme disease diagnosis, fans were stunned. He had been touring. Performing. Smiling for the cameras.