Yesterday, pop star Justin Timberlake revealed he has been battling Lyme disease throughout his recent world tour, describing it as "relentlessly debilitating" and explaining how he experienced a "massive amount of nerve pain" and "crazy fatigue" while performing. His announcement puts a spotlight on a disease that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates to affect hundreds of thousands of Americans every year, making it the most common vector-borne illness in the United States.
Despite its prevalence, many remain unaware of this potentially serious condition until it’s too late. Understanding Lyme disease—its causes, symptoms, testing, and prevention—could make the difference between a quick recovery and years of chronic health problems.
Ixodes tick, which can transm