Few infectious diseases inspire as much debate and confusion as Lyme disease. Because its symptoms range so widely and mimic those of so many other illnesses, patients can spend months to years pinning down an accurate diagnosis. What’s more, post-treatment symptoms aren’t uncommon, and a single infection can even develop into chronic Lyme.
But what about new infections of Lyme? Many patients may wonder, can you get Lyme disease twice?
The short answer is yes. In this blog, we’ll break down why and how some people get Lyme disease more than once in their lifetime.
Can you get Lyme disease twice?
Yes, you can get Lyme disease twice – or more.
This is different from being newly infected by other tick-borne illnesses, such as Ehrlichia or Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, which can present with Lyme-like symptoms but are actually caused by different bacteria than the Lyme disease bacteria. For example, Daryl Hall of the music duo Hall & Oates claims to have been infected with “six or seven” different tick-borne diseases after being bitten by ticks many times over the years.
When a person contracts Lyme disease twice, however, they are once again infected with the specific bacteria that causes Lyme, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.
It’s important to note that there are at least 18 known strains of the Lyme-causing B. burgdorferi . Those who have been treated for Lyme in the past can thus be newly infected in one of two ways:
- By a tick carrying the same strain that infected them before
- By a tick carrying a different species of B. burgdorferi
What about Lyme immunity?
It’s true that after you have been treated for Lyme, a Lyme immunity seems to protect your body from new infection for possibly years after the first infection. But this doesn’t mean you’re in the clear after your Lyme treatment. Evidence shows that this immunity probably only applies to the specific strain that infected you the first time.
In a 2014 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers studied 17 patients who had contracted Lyme disease at least two times. Out of all 17, only one patient had been infected with the same strain twice. After rigorous probability-based studies, the researchers concluded it would be nearly impossible to find such a sampling of patients completely by chance.
In other words, evidence strongly suggested a strain-specific immunity.
This means Lyme patients may be protected against one specific strain of Lyme disease bacteria for up to six to nine years, but they are as vulnerable as ever to all the other strains – not to mention other kinds of tick-borne diseases.
While investigations into whether Lyme immunity offers cross-strain protection are underway, it’s clear that you can absolutely be newly infected by Lyme-carrying ticks even after contracting Lyme once before.
If you’ve been infected with Lyme in recent years, you shouldn’t rely on a Lyme immunity from a previous infection. Always practice good Lyme and tick prevention techniques.
New Lyme Infection vs. Chronic Lyme
If you’ve received antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease but still experience Lyme symptoms, there are a few possibilities for what could be going on.
First, note that it’s not uncommon for Lyme symptoms to persist for up to six months or more after the conclusion of treatment. Pay close attention to the timeline of your symptoms and stay in contact with your doctor. With early detection and treatment, most cases of Lyme clear up quickly and completely.
However, if you notice symptoms many months or years after the six-month post-treatment period, you may be dealing with a new infection. Even if you don’t remember a tick bite, keep track of your symptoms and get tested. Symptoms usually show up more quickly with subsequent infections, so don’t brush off any rashes, fevers, headaches, joint pain, or fatigue that seem out of the ordinary.
Finally, some patients do unfortunately develop chronic Lyme disease, otherwise known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). This is not uncommon in cases where the Lyme was not detected or properly diagnosed and thus progressed to the neurological system. Remember that as Lyme progresses, symptoms can change or expand to include sleep problems, cognitive issues, heart problems, depression, and more. If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms many months or years after treatment, but keep receiving negative test results, it’s important that you find a doctor you trust who will work with you to personalize your treatment plan.
What You Should Know about New Lyme Infections
- Symptoms from a new infection may present differently than they did the first time you were infected. Be vigilant about your health, and don’t ignore warning signs – even if you don’t remember a tick bite or rash.
- The body usually responds more quickly with subsequent infections. Pay close attention to your symptoms and contact a medical professional if you feel you may be at risk for a new tick-borne illness.
- Most people never know the particular strain of B. burgdorferi that infected them. Even if you are able to save the tick that bit you for testing, there is no way to know what strain a new tick may be carrying. Lyme immunity from a previous infection is not enough to protect you against new infections.
Tips for Lyme and Tick Bite Prevention
The best way to keep yourself safe from Lyme disease and other tick-borne infectious diseases is to prevent transmission. This is sometimes easier said than done, since the ticks that most commonly infect people – nymphs, or immature ticks – are so small, you’re unlikely to notice them before they have time to bite, infect, and fall off of you.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that could be associated with tick-borne illness, do not ignore them – even if you don’t remember a tick bite. Many who’ve been treated for Lyme don’t remember a tick bite or a rash.
When possible, though, you can follow the tick prevention steps below:
- Avoid ticks. Plan outdoor activities conscientiously, keeping tick hotspots in mind.
- Protect yourself. Wear protective clothing while outside to prevent ticks from attaching to exposed parts of the body.
- Check yourself. The CDC says ticks must be attached to your body for 36 to 48 hours before the disease can be transmitted. Always check for ticks promptly after being at risk – such as camping, hiking, or simply spending time near wooded areas – and immediately remove any ticks you find.
- Educate yourself. Make sure you know how to remove ticks in case you spot one on yourself or your child.
Of course, no matter what you do, bites from infected ticks do sometimes happen. Pay close attention to your health after a tick bite, no matter how early you think you removed it. The risks associated with untreated Lyme are devastating and costly. But with early and proper treatment, most cases of Lyme clear up quickly without lasting harm to patients’ quality of life.
The IGeneX Advantage
If you’re noticing Lyme symptoms even after completing treatment for a previous infection, it’s important you contact your medical professional and get tested. Learn more about how the IGeneX lab can help.