Is Lyme Disease Contagious?

Is Lyme disease contagious? That is one of the most common—and important—questions I hear from patients and families, especially from those worried about exposing loved ones.

The short answer is no: Lyme disease is not considered contagious in the traditional sense. But as with much in Lyme disease, the full answer benefits from context and nuance.

Many people worry they can “catch” Lyme disease from a spouse, child, or caregiver. Clarifying how Lyme does—and does not—spread helps reduce unnecessary fear and keeps attention focused on the real source of risk.

How Lyme Disease Does Not Spread Between People

Lyme disease does not spread through person-to-person contact. It is not transmitted by touching, hugging, kissing, sharing food, coughing, sneezing, or being in the same room with someone who has Lyme disease. It is not airborne, and it does not behave like a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection.

Lyme disease is acquired through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, most commonly Ixodes scapularis. Ordinary human contact does not transmit the infection.

Many patients are surprised to learn how often tick bites go unnoticed.

How Lyme Disease Is Transmitted

Lyme disease is transmitted when an infected Ixodes tick bites and feeds. These ticks are most active in grassy and wooded environments, particularly during warmer months.

Public health guidance often states that a tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease. This guidance reflects population-based averages and is summarized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Public timelines describe averages, not guarantees.

In clinical practice, I have seen patients report symptoms after shorter attachment times, particularly when co-infections such as Babesia or Bartonella are involved. Transmission risk is influenced by multiple variables, including the tick’s life stage, whether it had fed previously, the presence of co-infections, and the individual’s immune response.

For a deeper discussion of co-infections, see:
Lyme Disease Co-Infections: Babesia and Bartonella

While longer attachment increases risk, there is no guaranteed “safe window.” Any tick exposure followed by symptoms deserves careful evaluation.

Blood, Breastfeeding, and Pregnancy

Patients frequently ask whether Lyme disease can be transmitted through blood, breastfeeding, or pregnancy.

Sexual transmission has not been proven. Although DNA from Borrelia burgdorferi has been detected in body fluids, there is no clinical evidence that Lyme disease is spread sexually.

Blood donation policies vary. Some blood banks allow donation after Lyme disease has been treated, while others defer donors. Importantly, Babesia is a confirmed transfusion risk, and individuals with a history of Babesia infection are often excluded from donating blood. More information on this topic is available in the medical literature indexed on PubMed.

There is currently no evidence that Lyme disease is transmitted through breastfeeding.

Rare cases of congenital Lyme disease have been reported, but this remains uncommon. Treatment during pregnancy is recommended to reduce risk. For more detail, see:
Lyme Disease and Pregnancy

What About Mosquitoes or Other Insects?

Lyme disease has not been shown to spread through mosquitoes, fleas, or other insects. Despite ongoing research, ticks remain the only confirmed vector for Borrelia burgdorferi.

For a broader discussion of misconceptions and gaps in care, see:
The Chronic Lyme Disease Education Gap
Prevention Remains the Most Effective Strategy

Although Lyme disease is not contagious like viral or bacterial illnesses, it is preventable. Preventing tick exposure—through personal protection, environmental awareness, and routine tick checks—remains the most effective way to reduce risk.

Final Answer

Lyme disease is not contagious from person to person.
It does not spread through air, saliva, touch, or routine interaction. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.

That said, non-contagious does not mean harmless. Prevention, early recognition, and appropriate treatment remain essential to avoiding long-term complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you catch Lyme disease from someone who has it?

No. Living with, caring for, hugging, or sharing space with someone who has Lyme disease does not put others at risk.

Can Lyme disease spread through kissing or sharing food?

No. Lyme disease is not transmitted through kissing, sharing utensils, or sharing food and drinks.

Is Lyme disease contagious through sex?

Sexual transmission of Lyme disease has not been proven.

Can Lyme disease be transmitted through blood transfusions?

Lyme disease itself has not been clearly shown to spread through blood transfusions. Babesia, however, is a confirmed transfusion risk.

Can a mother pass Lyme disease to her baby?

There is no evidence that Lyme disease is transmitted through breastfeeding. Rare congenital cases during pregnancy have been reported.

Can Lyme disease be spread by mosquitoes or other insects?

No. Ticks remain the only confirmed vector.

How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit infection?

Risk increases with time, but timelines are averages, not guarantees. Any symptoms after a tick bite should be evaluated.