Growing List of Cardiac Problems in Lyme Disease Lyme carditis is a potentially serious complication of Lyme disease that can disrupt the heart’s electrical conduction system. Although first-degree AV block is the most common presentation, Lyme disease has been associated with a growing list of cardiac rhythm abnormalities described in the medical literature. [1] A […]

Are There Ticks in Central Park and Other NYC Parks? Ticks can be found in New York City parks Infected deer ticks have been documented in urban green spaces Park design, deer, and birds may influence Lyme disease risk Readers often ask: are there ticks in Central Park, Manhattan, and other NYC parks? There has

Anchoring Bias Lyme Disease: When Diagnosis Goes Wrong Anchoring bias in Lyme disease can occur when clinicians fixate on an initial diagnosis and fail to adjust their thinking as new information emerges. Conversely, this same cognitive bias may also occur when Lyme disease is incorrectly diagnosed and the true underlying illness is missed. Aguirre and

Lyme Disease Vocal Cord Paralysis: A Rare but Treatable Cause Lyme disease can affect nerves controlling the vocal cords. Hoarseness, voice loss, and swallowing difficulty may occur in neurologic Lyme disease. Early recognition is important because some patients improve with treatment. Lyme disease is increasingly recognized as a potential neurologic cause of vocal cord paralysis

What Is a Lyme Literate Doctor (LLMD)? Lyme disease can affect the nervous system, heart, and autonomic function Persistent symptoms often require evaluation beyond early Lyme disease alone A Lyme literate doctor recognizes complex and multisystem presentations So, what does it really mean to be “Lyme literate”? The term Lyme literate doctor, often shortened to

What Is Bourbon Virus? Symptoms, Treatment, and Tick-Borne Risks Bourbon virus remains poorly understood Symptoms may resemble other tick-borne illnesses Treatment options remain limited Bourbon virus is a rare tick-borne infection that can cause fever, fatigue, rash, muscle aches, nausea, and weakness. Because the disease is uncommon and symptoms overlap with other infections, diagnosis can

Powassan Virus in Maine: Prevalence and Tick-Borne Infection Risk Powassan virus in Maine is a growing concern. Although rare, the virus can be severe, with a fatality rate of approximately 10%. In 2013, a Maine woman died from the disease, and by 2017, 10 residents had been infected. An increase in cases of Powassan virus

Fatal Lyme Carditis: When Negative Tests Delay Diagnosis Fatal Lyme carditis can occur when early symptoms are missed and testing is negative. In this case, a 17-year-old from New York died after weeks of flu-like illness despite multiple medical evaluations. This case highlights a broader issue in Lyme disease: testing may be negative even when

Is It Polio—or a Tick-Borne Infection Like Powassan Virus? Polio-like symptoms? But tests are negative? A tick-borne virus may be missed. What if it’s not polio? Severe weakness, paralysis, and neurologic symptoms may resemble polio—but can reflect a tick-borne infection such as Powassan virus. While vacationing in rural Newfoundland, a man developed nausea, vomiting, abdominal