Lyme Science Blog

Stroke-Like Symptoms? Babesiosis Can Mimic a TIA Babesiosis can cause confusion, slurred speech, and ataxia—symptoms that may mimic a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). When neurologic symptoms occur alongside fever or flu-like illness, clinicians should consider infection—not just a vascular event. Sudden confusion. Slurred speech. Trouble walking. In some cases, these symptoms may not […]

Lyme Disease in a Newborn: A Mother’s Experience Newborn developed symptoms after a tick bite Hospitalization and PICC line treatment followed A mother describes the challenges of obtaining care The mother saw a tick on her newborn daughter. “Three days later, she was very sleepy and hard to rouse,” the mother wrote. Although Lyme disease

Cascade of Unnecessary Tests: When Lyme Goes Undiagnosed Cascade of care in Lyme disease often occurs when the correct diagnosis is missed. Patients with fatigue, neurologic symptoms, joint pain, or cognitive dysfunction may undergo extensive testing across multiple specialties before Lyme disease is considered. Instead of unnecessary tests triggering the cascade, the cascade begins because

Lyme Disease and Surgery: Anesthesia Considerations Surgery may require additional planning Lyme disease can affect the heart and nerves Anesthesia decisions may need closer review Lyme disease and surgery may raise additional concerns when patients have cardiac, neurologic, or autonomic symptoms. Although many individuals with Lyme disease undergo procedures without complications, anesthetic planning may require

Lyme Carditis and Pacemaker Removal: Two Cases Lyme carditis can cause serious conduction abnormalities Two patients received permanent pacemakers during treatment Both later had successful pacemaker removal Lyme carditis can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities, most commonly atrioventricular (AV) block. Although temporary pacing is often preferred when possible, some patients receive permanent pacemakers

Lyme Meningitis Leading to Hyponatremia and SIADH Lyme meningitis may rarely present with hyponatremia and SIADH Neurologic symptoms can precede diagnosis by weeks Treatment of the infection may reverse both conditions There are many causes of hyponatremia. Any disorder of the central nervous system, including infections, can trigger it. However, only a few case reports

Lyme Disease or Rheumatoid Arthritis? How to Tell the Difference Lyme disease can mimic rheumatoid arthritis, causing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue. But Lyme disease is driven by infection—not autoimmune inflammation. Joint pain. Morning stiffness. Fatigue. Is it rheumatoid arthritis—or could it be Lyme disease? These two conditions can look remarkably similar, yet the

Bullous Erythema Migrans: A Blistering Lyme Disease Rash Blistering Lyme disease rash An uncommon form of erythema migrans May delay diagnosis and treatment Bullous erythema migrans, sometimes referred to as bullous Lyme disease, is an uncommon blistering Lyme disease rash that can be mistaken for herpes infection, shingles, spider bites, Sweet syndrome, or other skin

Doxycycline After a Tick Bite: Does It Prevent Lyme? Doxycycline after a tick bite is commonly prescribed to reduce the risk of Lyme disease. But how strong is the evidence supporting a single 200 mg dose? Most patients assume the answer is straightforward. It isn’t. Current recommendations for single-dose doxycycline prophylaxis are based primarily on

Can Babesiosis Be Deadly? A Fatal Babesia Case Babesiosis can become life-threatening in some patients Severe illness may occur even without classic risk factors Early recognition and treatment are critical Can babesiosis be deadly? Yes. Although many cases are mild or flu-like, babesiosis can become severe and, in rare cases, fatal. A published case report