Pediatric Lyme

Why Long COVID May Change How We Understand Chronic Lyme Disease Long COVID may change how medicine understands chronic Lyme disease by forcing a broader recognition of persistent symptoms after infection. For decades, patients with fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, pain, and autonomic symptoms following infections have often faced skepticism and limited treatment options. The emergence of […]

Why Lyme Disease Doesn’t Fit Single-Disease Guidelines Lyme disease rarely appears as a single, isolated illness. Patients often arrive with fatigue, neuropathy, dizziness, cognitive problems, sleep disruption, gastrointestinal symptoms, and medication sensitivities—sometimes all at once. These overlapping problems can span multiple organ systems, creating a clinical picture that does not easily fit traditional disease categories.

Lyme Disease Misdiagnosed as ADHD in Children Lyme disease can affect attention, behavior, and school performance Some symptoms may resemble ADHD in children and adolescents A broader evaluation may be needed when physical symptoms are present Over the years in clinical practice I have evaluated a number of adolescents and children with suspected Lyme disease.

Why Lyme Disease Causes School Problems in Children School difficulties may be an early sign of pediatric Lyme disease Neurologic symptoms, fatigue, and brain fog may interfere with learning Recognition and accommodations may help recovery and academic success Lyme disease school problems in children may occur when infection affects cognition, sleep, energy regulation, and neurologic

Can Babesia Delay Lyme Recovery? When Coinfections Block Progress Coinfections may complicate recovery Babesia symptoms can mimic persistent Lyme disease Treatment sequencing may influence outcomes Some Lyme disease patients improve slowly despite addressing multiple symptoms, changing treatments, or focusing on supportive therapies. In certain cases, an untreated coinfection may contribute to persistent symptoms and delayed

Sudden Behavioral Changes in Children With Lyme Disease Behavior changes can appear suddenly Symptoms may seem psychiatric or neurologic Lyme disease may affect mood, behavior, and emotional regulation Lyme disease child behavior changes may include irritability, aggression, anxiety, emotional outbursts, personality changes, and oppositional behavior. These changes may appear abruptly in children who previously functioned

Can Lyme Disease Cause Bell’s Palsy or Facial Palsy? A sudden facial droop may be called Bell’s palsy In Lyme regions, facial palsy may point to Lyme disease Early recognition can change evaluation and treatment Lyme disease Bell’s palsy is an important consideration when a child or adult suddenly develops facial weakness, facial droop, or

PANS, Lyme Disease, and OCD Symptoms in Children Sudden OCD symptoms may resemble PANS Some children with Lyme disease develop neuropsychiatric symptoms Careful evaluation may identify infectious triggers Some children with Lyme disease develop sudden behavioral or psychiatric symptoms that resemble pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections

Can Lyme Disease Cause Stomach Pain and GI Symptoms in Children? Children with Lyme disease may develop stomach pain or digestive symptoms GI symptoms may reflect autonomic dysfunction or neurologic involvement Abdominal pain alone rarely means Lyme disease Lyme disease can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in children, particularly when the infection affects the nervous system or

When Lyme Arthritis in Children Is Mistaken for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Lyme arthritis in children can resemble juvenile idiopathic arthritis because both conditions may cause knee swelling, limping, stiffness, and reduced activity. Recognizing this overlap is important. Lyme arthritis in children is a treatable infectious condition that often presents as a swollen knee with surprisingly