On Thursday, July 31, 2025, just a day after wrapping up a two-year tour, Justin Timberlake revealed in an Instagram post that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Justin Timberlake, 44, is an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and dancer. Dubbed the "Prince of Pop," he is also recognized by Billboard as the top-performing male solo act on Pop Airplay and one of the greatest pop stars of the 21st century.
Timberlake said in his post that he had been feeling unwell during Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which was promoting his sixth solo album, Everything I Thought It Was.
We bet, you might be asking yourself: What exactly is Lyme disease? What are the symptoms?, and how is it cured?
You have no reason to get stressed because we have done deep research on Lyme disease, and we are going to tell you everything you need to understand about this disease.
You just need to take a deep breath, and there we go.
Let’s waste no time…
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia bacteria and is spread to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. It is the most commonly transmitted tick-borne infection in the United States (US) and one of the most frequently diagnosed tick-borne illnesses worldwide.
The first recognition of Lyme disease, also known as borreliosis, began in 1975 when many children in Lyme, Connecticut, and two neighboring towns were diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers later discovered that bites from infected deer ticks were responsible for this outbreak.
According to the CDC, over 89,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported by state health departments and the District of Columbia in 2023. However, recent estimates using other methods suggest that approximately 476,000 people may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year in the United States.
Lyme disease infections are most common in the Northern Hemisphere and tend to occur during spring and early summer.
Causes of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia bacteria that live in blacklegged ticks. These ticks are also known by other names, including castor bean tick, sheep tick, or deer tick.
In Europe and Asia, the main causes of Lyme disease are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. In Asia, B. garinii is the most common cause of Lyme disease.
Ticks feed on blood by attaching to a host’s skin such as human or deer skin and continue feeding until they swell to their typical size. Deer ticks can feed on a host’s blood for several days.
Ticks pick up the bacteria from animals like deer or rodents. These animals do not get sick but can pass the bacteria to ticks, which in turn can infect humans. When an infected tick bites a person, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream. However, if you remove the tick within 24 hours, the chances of the bacteria spreading Lyme disease are much lower.
Both young and adult ticks can carry the bacteria. Young ticks are tiny and hard to spot, so you may not notice if one bites you.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
A tick bite may look like a tiny, itchy bump on your skin, similar to a mosquito bite. However, this does not necessarily mean you have a tick-borne disease. Unfortunately, many people don’t even realize they have been bitten by a tick.
The symptoms of Lyme disease vary and usually appear in three stages: early localized, early disseminated, and late. These stages can overlap, and some people may not show any symptoms during the typical early stage.
Stage 1 Symptoms
Early symptoms of Lyme disease usually occur within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. This stage is called early localized disease and has a limited set of symptoms.
A rash is a common sign of Lyme disease, but sometimes it may not appear. Below are some key characteristics of the rash, and we also recommend looking at photos to better understand how it may look.
- Occurs in approximately 70 to 80 percent of infected people
- Begins at the site of the tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days (average about 7 days)
- Expands gradually over several days, reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) or more across
- May feel warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful
- Sometimes clears in the center as it enlarges, resulting in a target or "bull's-eye" appearance
- Can appear on any area of the body
- Does not always appear as the classic "bull's-eye" rash
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| Image Credits: CDC |
Other stage 1 symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Joint stiffness
- Muscle aches and pains
- Swollen lymph nodes.
Stage 2 Symptoms
If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress. Symptoms of Stage 2 often appear within 3 to 10 weeks after a tick bite. This stage is more serious and widespread, and it’s known as early disseminated Lyme disease.
At this stage, a person may still experience symptoms from Stage 1, along with the following:
● Multiple rashes on different parts of the body
● Neck pain or stiffness
● Muscle weakness on one or both sides of the face (facial palsy or Bell’s palsy)
● Irregular heartbeats caused by immune activity in heart tissue (Lyme carditis)
● Radiating pain that begins in the back or hips and spreads to the legs
● Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands or feet
● Painful swelling in tissues around the eyes or eyelids
● Vision loss or eye pain due to inflammation in the optic nerves
Stage 3 Symptoms
In the third stage of Lyme disease known as late disseminated disease. You may experience symptoms from the earlier stages along with new, more severe complications.
In the United States, the most common symptom at this stage is arthritis in large joints, especially the knees. This arthritis is often accompanied by severe pain, swelling, or stiffness that may last for months. In some cases, the symptoms may come and go over time.
Stage 3 symptoms usually begin 2 to 12 months after a tick bite, especially when the infection hasn't been properly treated.
Other symptoms of late stage Lyme disease may include:
● Severe headaches and neck stiffness
● Additional Erythema migrans (EM) rashes on other parts of the body
● Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or drooping on one or both sides of the face)
● Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, or bones
● Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)
● Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
● Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
● Nerve pain
● Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
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| Later signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include swollen knees, irregular heartbeat, and facial palsy. Credits: CDC |
It is important to seek medical attention if you observe any of these symptoms and have had a recent tick bite, live in an area known for Lyme disease, or have recently traveled to an area where Lyme disease occurs.
Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
Diagnosing Lyme disease can be challenging because symptoms vary from person to person and often resemble those of other illnesses.
When evaluating a patient for Lyme disease, a healthcare provider will consider several factors, including:
- Your signs and symptoms — such as rash, joint pain, or neurological issues
- Your likelihood of exposure — especially if you have spent time in areas where infected blacklegged (deer) ticks are common
- Other possible causes — since many Lyme disease symptoms can mimic conditions like flu, fibromyalgia, or arthritis
- Laboratory test results, when needed — usually blood tests to detect antibodies against Borrelia bacteria
Treatment of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, and the earlier you begin treatment, the greater your chances of a full and successful recovery.
The specific antibiotic and length of treatment depend on several factors, including:
- Your symptoms
- The stage of infection
- Your age
- Allergies
- For women: Whether you are pregnant or not
People treated with the appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease usually recover rapidly and completely. The most commonly used antibiotics include doxycycline, amoxicillin, and cefuroxime axetil. Early diagnosis and correct treatment can help prevent the disease from progressing to more severe stages.
However, some individuals may continue to experience symptoms even after treatment. The exact cause of these lingering symptoms is not clear.
Note:
● Doxycycline is used for most patients except young children and pregnant individuals.
● Amoxicillin is the preferred option for children under age 8.
● For patients older than 8 with early localized Lyme disease, doxycycline is typically prescribed for 10 days.
● For children under 8, amoxicillin or cefuroxime is used for 14 days to avoid the risk of tooth discoloration from tetracyclines.{alertInfo}
Caution: Always seek treatment from a licensed healthcare provider or authorized medical center. Do not self-prescribe antibiotics.
Expected Treatment Prognosis
For most people, Lyme disease is highly treatable, especially when diagnosed early. In early-stage cases, antibiotic treatment is usually curative, and over 80% of patients experience complete resolution of symptoms with the recommended treatment.
However, treatment outcomes may vary due to factors such as:
● Delayed diagnosis
● Antibiotic treatment failure
● Co-infections with other tick-borne illnesses
Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)
Approximately 10% to 20% of patients may continue to experience symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, or general discomfort even after completing treatment. This condition is known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), and in some cases, symptoms can persist for six months or longer.
Although PTLDS can be frustrating and difficult, it does not mean the infection is still active, and further antibiotic treatment is usually not effective. Supportive care and symptom management may be recommended.
Expected Complications of Lyme Disease
In some cases, people with Lyme disease experience ongoing symptoms even after treatment. These longer lasting symptoms can vary from mild discomfort to more serious health concerns. Common persistent symptoms may include:
● Arthritis that begins with Lyme disease and doesn’t improve● Ongoing body aches and pains
● Constant or frequent fatigue
● Memory problems or difficulty concentrating
● Lyme carditis (inflammation of the heart)
● Neurological deficits (nerve damage or dysfunction)
● Eye-related problems (ocular manifestations)
● Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (a rare skin condition seen in late-stage Lyme)
● Lymphocytoma (a skin lesion that may occur in early localized disease)
Some people with these symptoms may be diagnosed with Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).
Possible causes of long-term complications include:
● Incomplete or delayed treatment
● Reinfection with Lyme disease
● Immune system reaction to fragments of dead bacteria
● Autoimmune responses, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues
● Other unrelated medical conditions that have not yet been diagnosed
If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms after treatment, it’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and management.
Risk Factors of Lyme Disease
Your risk for getting Lyme disease depends on if you spend time where they are likely to live. This includes the:
● Region. Deer ticks that carry Lyme disease are widespread. They are mostly found in the upper Midwest, the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states, and in south central and southeastern Canada. The castor bean tick is found throughout Europe.
● Habitat. Ticks live in wooded, shrubby or grassy areas.
● Season of year. The risk of infection is greater in the spring, summer and fall. But ticks can be active any time the temperature is above freezing.
Prevention of Lyme Disease
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid tick bites, especially when spending time outdoors. Ticks usually attach themselves to your lower legs and feet as you walk or work in grassy, wooded, or overgrown areas. After latching onto your body, a tick may crawl upward to find a place to burrow into your skin.
Unfortunately, tick bites are not always painful, so you may not realize you have been bitten unless you actually spot the tick on your skin.
If you are in or planning to be in a tick-prone area, follow these simple tips to protect yourself:
Use tick repellents
● Spray your outdoor clothing, shoes, tent and other camping gear with a repellent that has 0.5% permethrin. Some gear and clothing may be pre-treated with permethrin.
● Use an insect repellent registered with the Environmental Protection Agency on any exposed skin, except your face. These include repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone.
● Do not use products with OLE or PMD on children under age 3.
Dress for protection
● Wear light-colored clothing that makes it easier for you or others to see ticks on your clothing.
● Avoid open-toed shoes or sandals.
● Wear long-sleeved shirts tucked into your pants.
● Wear long pants tucked into your socks.
Check for ticks
● Shower as soon as possible to wash off any loose ticks. Check for ticks that may have burrowed.
● Use a mirror to check your body well. Pay attention to your underarms, hair and hairline. Also check your ears, waist, and the area between your legs, behind your knees, and inside your bellybutton.
● Check your gear. Before you wash your outdoor clothes, put them in the dryer on hot for at least 10 minutes to kill ticks.
Other tips
● Do a daily inspection for ticks on any pet that spends time outdoors.
● Stay on clear paths as much as possible in wooded and grassy areas.
