Lyme disease, a condition transmitted by infected ticks, can cause a range of symptoms from a distinctive rash to more widespread issues affecting joints and the nervous system. It is possible to get Lyme disease more than one time.
Understanding Reinfection
Immunity from a previous Lyme disease infection is not permanent or complete. Each new infection results from a new bite from an infected blacklegged tick carrying Borrelia burgdorferi. This can involve the same bacterial strain or a different one, as multiple strains can infect humans.
A prior infection may offer strain-specific immunity for several years against that particular variant, but this does not protect against other strains. Therefore, individuals remain susceptible to new infections from different strains or even the same strain if enough time has passed. Successfully completing antibiotic treatment clears the bacteria but does not prevent future infections from new tick bites.
Distinguishing New Infection from Persistent Symptoms
It is important to differentiate a new Lyme disease infection from persistent symptoms following a previous one, often referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). PTLDS describes symptoms like fatigue, body aches, or difficulty thinking that continue for more than six months after antibiotic treatment for an initial Lyme infection. These lingering symptoms are not typically due to ongoing active infection, but rather may stem from residual bacterial fragments, an altered immune response, or damage from the initial infection. Studies indicate that additional antibiotics are unlikely to resolve PTLDS symptoms.
A new infection is characterized by new acute illness from a new tick bite. This often manifests with classic early signs such as a new erythema migrans rash appearing at a different location, along with other acute symptoms like fever or headache. In contrast, PTLDS symptoms are generally persistent and non-specific, without evidence of a new tick bite or rash. Consulting a healthcare professional is important for proper diagnosis, as blood tests for Lyme antibodies can remain positive for a long time after initial infection, making it challenging to distinguish between old and new infections based solely on serology.
Preventing Future Infections
Preventing tick bites is the most effective way to avoid new Lyme disease infections.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks when outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas.
- Use insect repellents containing DEET or permethrin on skin and clothing.
- Conduct thorough tick checks on yourself, children, and pets after outdoor activities.
- Check hard-to-see areas like the groin, armpits, and scalp.
- Promptly and properly remove any attached ticks using fine-tipped tweezers, as ticks typically need to be attached for over 24 hours to transmit bacteria.
- Modify your yard by clearing tall grass and leaf litter to create a less hospitable environment for ticks.