Lyme Science Blog

Eye Problems in Lyme Disease: Symptoms and Vision Complications Eye problems in Lyme disease span a wide range of ophthalmologic manifestations, from mild conjunctivitis to vision-threatening complications. Recognizing these ocular symptoms can help clinicians identify Lyme disease when it presents with unexplained eye inflammation. Lyme disease eye symptoms may include redness, blurred vision, photophobia, double […]

Babesia Symptoms: 5 Different Clinical Presentations Babesia symptoms can vary dramatically from patient to patient — making diagnosis particularly challenging. This case series describes five elderly patients with Babesia, each presenting differently. Babesiosis is a tick-borne infection that affects red blood cells and may range from mild illness to life-threatening disease, particularly in older adults

Can You Develop Immunity to Lyme Disease? Some patients ask whether infection with Lyme disease provides immunity against future infections. Research suggests that limited strain-specific immunity may develop after infection, but reinfection with a different strain of the bacteria remains possible. In a 2014 study, researchers found that some individuals may develop strain-specific immunity to

Babesia Incubation Period: A 10-Week Delayed Case The babesia incubation period can be much longer than expected—as this unusual case demonstrates. A 19-year-old man developed symptoms 10 weeks after traveling to New York, illustrating why Babesia can be missed when physicians focus only on recent tick exposure. The case was published in Cureus by Patel

What Does a Lyme Flare-Up Feel Like? Lyme flare-up symptoms often begin with a sudden return or worsening of fatigue, brain fog, pain, and neurologic symptoms—sometimes after a period of improvement. A Lyme flare-up typically feels like a relapse. Patients often recognize familiar symptoms returning, sometimes alongside new ones. These episodes can come and go,

Can Lyme Disease Stay With You Forever? Can Lyme disease stay with you forever? Although many patients will improve with appropriate treatment, others will experience ongoing Lyme disease symptoms that may persist for years. A growing number of case studies continue to document patients with chronic illnesses associated with Lyme disease. Key Point: While many

Herxheimer Reaction in a 13-Year-Old Boy With Lyme Arthritis A recently published case report describes a Herxheimer reaction in a child treated for Lyme arthritis. Nykytyuk and colleagues reported the case of a 13-year-old boy who developed worsening symptoms after starting doxycycline for Lyme disease. [1] Key Point: A Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction can occur during treatment

Lyme Disease Mimics Cellulitis Skin Infection Lyme disease can sometimes mimic cellulitis, a common bacterial skin infection. In this case, a 40-year-old woman developed redness, swelling, pain, and a rash at the site of a surgical excision. Key Point: Early Lyme disease rashes can resemble cellulitis, leading to delayed diagnosis if clinicians do not consider