Lyme Science Blog

When Lyme Arthritis in Children Is Mistaken for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis When Lyme arthritis in children is mistaken for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, diagnosis and treatment can be delayed. Both conditions can present with swollen joints, minimal pain, and few systemic symptoms. Because the clinical features overlap, children living in Lyme-endemic areas may initially receive a […]

Herxheimer Reaction in Neonatal Lyme Disease: A Case Report A Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR) is a transient inflammatory response that can occur during antibiotic treatment of spirochetal infections. The reaction was first described in patients treated for syphilis but has also been reported in other spirochetal diseases including leptospirosis, relapsing fever, and Lyme disease. Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions

POTS in children with Lyme disease may present with dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, palpitations, and school difficulty. These symptoms are often overlooked as anxiety or behavioral problems rather than autonomic dysfunction.

Recognizing Lyme Disease in Children: Lessons From Clinical Practice Over the years in clinical practice I have evaluated a number of adolescents and children with suspected Lyme disease, often after symptoms had evolved over time. While Lyme disease is commonly associated with a rash or joint swelling, many younger patients present with patterns that are

Facial Palsy in Children: Could It Be Lyme Disease? Facial palsy in children may be caused by Lyme disease, particularly in endemic regions during summer and fall. Although Bell’s palsy is common, Lyme-related facial palsy should be considered when a child develops sudden facial weakness after outdoor exposure or after a recent systemic illness. Because

When to Suspect Lyme Disease in Children Lyme disease should be considered in children who develop unexplained fatigue, joint pain, headaches, or behavioral changes after spending time outdoors in tick-endemic areas. Because children often present differently than adults, early signs may be subtle and easily mistaken for common childhood conditions. Children ages 5–14 represent one

Risk of Chronic Illness from Lyme Disease The Risk of Chronic Illness from Lyme Disease Begins Early The risk of chronic illness from Lyme disease does not affect adults alone. Children can be particularly vulnerable—not only to the initial infection but also to long-term complications when diagnosis or treatment is delayed. Some of the most

Childhood Lyme Disease: What It Really Takes From Children Childhood Lyme disease doesn’t just make children sick—it can take their confidence, their joy, and the childhood they should be living. It can affect attention, mood, and energy long before it is recognized as an infection—often altering development in ways that are easy to miss and

A Toddler’s Lyme Disease Misdiagnosed as Abuse Sometimes a bandaid covers more than a scrape. Sometimes it covers a bigger story—one about misdiagnosis, fear, and the high stakes of misunderstanding Lyme disease in children. Although uncommon, Lyme disease misdiagnosed as child abuse highlights how atypical presentations of tick-borne illness can create serious diagnostic confusion. That’s