What is Lyme disease, the illness Justin Bieber is fighting?

What is Lyme disease, the illness Justin Bieber is fighting?

What is Lyme disease, the illness Justin Bieber is fighting
(Image from PEOPLE.com)

Justin Bieber recently revealed via Instagram that he has Lyme disease, a bacterial infection carried by ticks.

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“While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s***, on meth, etc. they failed to realize I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my, skin, brain function, energy, and overall health,” Bieber on his post.

“These things will be explained further in a docu series I’m putting on YouTube shortly,” Bieber added. “You can learn all that I’ve been battling and OVERCOMING!! It’s been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever.”

Also read: NAIA on alert amid mysterious viral pneumonia from China

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What is Lyme disease, the illness Justin Bieber is fighting?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. )

lyme disease justin bieber
(Image from Daily Express)

How do you get Lyme disease?

It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks.

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What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

  • Rash, sometimes shaped like a bull’s eye (Erythema migrans (EM rash))
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle and joint aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes

If left untreated, more severe symptoms may occur and can last from months to years. Severe symptoms may include:

  • Severe headaches
  • Additional EM skin rashes
  • Facial paralysis (i.e., Bell’s palsy)
  • Intermittent muscle, joint, tendon and bone aches
  • Heart disorders (heart palpitations, abnormal heartbeat), known as Lyme carditis
  • Neurological disorders (dizziness, mental confusion or inability to think clearly, and memory loss, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, nerve pain, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet)
  • Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and less commonly in other joints such as the ankle, elbow, and wrists.

In rare cases, the disease can lead to death because of infections involving the heart.