American singer Justin Timberlake Battling with Lyme Disease:
American singer Justin Timberlake has announced that he was battling Lyme disease during his recently wrapped up world tour.
- Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks.
- It is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi.
- It primarily affects the skin, nervous system, heart and joints.
- It was named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut, United States, where it was first identified in children in 1976.
- It is most commonly reported in North America, Europe and some parts of Asia.
- It’s also known as Lyme borreliosis.
- It’s transmitted (spread) to humans through a tick bite.
- Not all tick bites cause Lyme disease.
- Only deer ticks (also called black-legged ticks) can spread the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
- These ticks are commonly found in wooded or grassy areas worldwide, particularly during warmer months.
- It cannot spread between humans, from pets to humans, through air, food, water, or lice, mosquitoes, fleas, and flies also do not transmit it.
- Lyme disease occurs in stages. The signs and symptoms of each stage can overlap.
- Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.
- Untreated Lyme disease can cause severe arthritis and damage the heart and nervous system.
- Most cases are treatable with antibiotics although recovery can take time, especially for those who are left undiagnosed in the early stages.
- Even after treatment, some symptoms may linger.
