Justin Timberlake’s announcement that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease has put a spotlight on the condition that impacts nearly 500,000 people in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Timberlake shared in a July 31 post on social media that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease while on his two-year Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
“If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” Timberlake wrote, adding, “When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”
The former *NSYNC member did not share further details of his diagnosis or treatment.
Adem Kutucu/Anadolu via Getty Images – PHOTO: Justin Timberlake performs at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Stadium on July 30, 2025.
Timberlake’s post about his diagnosis received hundreds of thousands of likes and comments, drawing attention to Lyme disease, a tick-borne infectious disease that, if left untreated, can affect the joints, heart and nervous system, according to the CDC.
Here is more to know about the disease.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S., is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
It is transmitted to humans via tick bites and is more likely to be contracted in the late spring, summer and fall.
In most cases, the tick must be attached to the skin for at least 24 hours before the bacterium can be transmitted. According to the CDC, removing a tick within 24 hours “greatly reduces” the risk of Lyme disease.
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Lyme disease is most commonly found in the Northeast and upper Midwest, in states including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Symptoms of Lyme disease appear as soon as three days after the tick bite and include fever, headache and fatigue.
Another symptom of Lyme disease that can occur is a so-called “bull’s-eye rash” that has red coloring and a red dot at the center of the rash, according to ABC News’ chief medical officer Dr. Tara Narula. However it is not present in all cases and does not always appear as a bull’s-eye — sometimes it’s just an expanding red rash.
Narula noted that a second stage of symptoms of Lyme disease can occur weeks to months after infection and may include issues such as cardiac inflammation, heart rhythm issues, neurological problems and meningitis.
A third stage of tick bite symptoms can occur months to years after a tick bite and include arthritis in large joints like the knee, as well as nervous system changes.
How is Lyme disease diagnosed and treated?
There are FDA-approved antibody tests used to diagnose Lyme disease, according to the CDC.
Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics over the course of 10 to 14 days. If left untreated, a wide range of symptoms may develop depending on the stage of infection including fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat and arthritis.
What are ways to prevent Lyme disease?
The CDC recommends preventive measures such as treating your clothes and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
They also recommend always doing a “tick check” after being outside and wearing insect repellent with Deet.
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Ticks can also come into the home through clothing and pets, so the CDC recommends checking pets for ticks and tumble drying clothes on high heat for 10 minutes after coming indoors to kill ticks.
If you are ever in a situation where you are bitten by a tick, the CDC recommends tugging gently but firmly near the head of the tick until it is pulled away from the skin.
People who are outdoors in areas that may have ticks should also conduct a full body check when they return, including checking under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, in and around the hair, between the legs and around the waist, the CDC says.
