Singer Justin Timberlake introduced on Instagram that he’s been diagnosed with Lyme Disease, in line with earlier HuffPost reporting.
Timberlake appeared to share the information in response to criticism of his current tour the place followers seen him not singing while on stage. Timberlake stated that, due to his Lyme Illness analysis, he skilled nerve ache, illness and fatigue whereas on stage, and these signs are hallmark indicators of the illness.
Under, infectious illness consultants share the most typical early signs of Lyme illness, what occurs when it advances, and the right way to keep away from getting it within the first place.
What’s Lyme illness?
Lyme illness is unfold by ticks, specifically deer ticks in the northeast and midwest and western black-legged ticks in California. It spreads to people (and pets) through the bite of an infected tick.
Ticks are most active from April through September. And whereas nobody desires a bug chunk, ticks are considerably extra threatening than most.
These poppy-to-sesame-seed-sized bugs are chargeable for the unfold of Lyme illness, significantly within the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and upper Midwest.
Lyme illness is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States ― in different phrases, it’s the most typical human sickness brought on by a biting arachnid that spreads a parasite.
There are some first indicators of the illness which are vital to know.
There are specific early warning indicators of Lyme illness that it’s best to take critically, stated each Dr. Tammy Lundstrom, an infectious illness specialist at Trinity Well being in Michigan, and Dr. Sarah Park, an infectious illness clinician who works on the life sciences firm Karius in Honolulu.
When caught early, the illness will be handled. Listed below are the indicators early indicators of the illness:
A ‘Bullseye’ Rash
Formally referred to as “erythema migrans,” a rash that appears like a bullseye or goal is the most typical early Lyme illness symptom, in line with Lundstrom.
“It may be very faint, nevertheless,” she stated. “It additionally could also be absent in 20-30% of instances and will be arduous to see on darker pores and skin tones.”
Park added that this rash usually seems inside three to 30 days following a tick chunk.
Flu-Like Signs
Between COVID, the flu and even the widespread chilly, if you end up with achy joints, chills, a fever, a headache or different flu-like signs, Lyme illness might not be the very first thing in your thoughts. However these signs may very well be indicators of it.
“These signs can simply be mistaken for a typical viral an infection corresponding to a chilly or flu,” Lundstrom stated. “Nonetheless, the onset of those signs paired with potential tick publicity ― for instance, mountaineering within the brush, woodsy areas or tall grass ― occurring three to seven days afterward can sign Lyme illness is a attainable trigger. Make sure you seek the advice of with a medical skilled, particularly for those who establish the bullseye rash or develop different famous signs.”
Fatigue
Sudden fatigue is also an early Lyme illness signal.
“Fatigue is an early signal that’s regularly dismissed and assumed to happen from not sufficient sleep or common on a regular basis actions like understanding,” Park stated.
Non-Bullseye Rashes
Different rashes that don’t appear like a goal may very well be an early signal of Lyme illness, too.
“A bullseye rash might first seem as a small pink bump or a stable pink patch that step by step expands, however not everybody develops any such rash,” Park stated. “Different pores and skin manifestations like hives or discomfort just like a sunburn can even happen.”
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Lyme illness may cause arthritis, nerve harm and extra if not caught early.
Whereas treatable with antibiotics if caught early sufficient, if it’s left untreated, Lyme illness signs can unfold to the joints, coronary heart and nervous system, which is why it’s vital to catch it early (or, ideally, to keep away from getting it in any respect).
In later states, it may trigger facial paralysis often known as Bell’s palsy, numbness all through the physique, arthritis, mind fog, nerve harm and extra, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Right here’s the right way to forestall Lyme illness
Whereas Lyme illness is treatable when caught early sufficient, the very best case situation is that you just don’t get it in any respect — which is why it’s key to guard your self from ticks, pay attention to the early indicators of Lyme illness, and know when and the place you’re most probably to get it.
“The sickness is brought on by ticks within the nymph stage, not adults,” Lundstrom stated. “They could be very small, across the measurement of a poppy seed, and arduous to see, however you will need to do a radical verify for ticks after outside actions. This consists of pores and skin folds and your hair. Early recognition and therapy are key to stopping persistent signs corresponding to arthritis, complications, neck stiffness and facial drooping.”
Along with checking for tinier ticks (bear in mind: the scale of a poppyseed!) Lundstrom recommends sporting lengthy pants and long-sleeved shirts when mountaineering.
“Deal with clothes with 0.5% permethrin or purchase pretreated mountaineering gear, and use EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET,” she added. “Stroll within the middle of trails for much less contact with brush and grass, and all the time look at pores and skin and clothes rigorously and bathe to clean off unattached ticks upon getting back from a hike.”
For those who want a DEET-free various, Lundstrom stated picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone are choices to search for in an EPA-registered repellent.
It’s additionally vital to do common tick checks for those who stay in an space with extra Lyme illness and to hunt assist instantly for those who’re noticing any indicators that may very well be signs of the illness.
Lastly, know that generally, a tick has to be attached to your body for 36 to 48 hours earlier than Lyme illness will be transmitted, which is why checking for and eradicating ticks rapidly could make all of the distinction on the subject of Lyme illness prevention.
Whereas a Lyme disease vaccine could also be a chance sooner or later sooner or later, for now, it’s a actuality we’re residing with. So know the indicators, put on protecting clothes and bug spray, and do common tick checks this summer season. Belief us, you gained’t remorse it.
