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How does one get Lyme disease? -

The disease is transmitted through an infected black-legged tick, also known as the deer or bear tick. The insect carries a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.

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The effects - At first, the effects are limited to rashes, fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes, but if left untreated more serious symptoms can arise.

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If left untreated - The disease can cause intense joint and nervous system pain, which may lead to paralysis and mental fogginess, as well as inflammation of the heart and membranes around the brain and spinal cord.

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It’s pretty common -

Web MD reports that 329,000 cases of Lyme disease occur each year, with the numbers more than doubling between 1995 and 2005.

Now, here are some celebs who have gone public with their struggle with the disease.

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Amy Schumer -

The ever candid Amy Schumer took to Instagram to share her Lyme disease diagnosis with over 10 million followers on September 9, 2020. “Anyone get LYME this summer?” she wrote, adding, “I got it and I’m on doxycycline. I have maybe had it for years. Any advice? Can you have a glass of wine or 2 on it?” Of course the comedian was lighthearted about it, but she also urged people to comment or text her with anything she should know about it. “I also want to say that I feel good and am excited to get rid of it,” she concluded. 

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Justin Bieber -

Before being diagnosed with Lyme disease, Justin Bieber fell into a depression in 2019 due to the scary symptoms he endured.

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Elena Delle Donne -

Women's basketball superstar Elena Delle Donne revealed that the WNBA denied her request to opt out of the 2020 season, this despite the reigning MVP having fought Lyme disease for years and her personal physician advising her not to play during the Covid-19 pandemic. She explained that she takes 64 pills a day to deal with Lyme disease, and that it really takes a toll on her.

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Shania Twain -

The legendary Canadian country singer announced her diagnosis in 2017, and had to retrain and exercise her voice after her disease resulted in dysphonia, a condition which left her unable to sing.

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Avril Lavigne - There was, for a time, an entire conspiracy theory that this Canadian singer was dead because she was completely absent from the media. The star eventually revealed she had been struggling with Lyme disease after a tick bite in 2014, and now she's a strong advocate for Lyme awareness.

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Yolanda Hadid - Yolanda Hadid has written a book on the illness and spoken about her experiences repeatedly. At the 2016 Global Lyme Alliance Gala, Hadid said, “It’s hard for people to understand the invisible disability that owns our life, especially behind the beautiful face that shines so bright on the covers of magazines.”

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Bella Hadid - Yolanda Hadid's daughter also suffers from the disease, and she spoke at the same gala about Lyme's deteriorating effect on her energy levels, her passion for horseback riding, and her social life.

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Anwar Hadid - Bella, Anwar, and Gigi Hadid all lead seemingly glamorous lives as models and social media sensations, but every member of their family has dealt with Lyme disease, either personally or through their loved ones.

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Alec Baldwin - At the 2017 LymeAid gala, which Baldwin hosted, the actor announced that he truly thought he was going to die—alone—when he was suffering from the chronic form of the disease in 2011. Thankfully, he's healthy and remarried now!

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Ben Stiller -

The actor has spoken out many times about his struggle with Lyme disease. He was diagnosed with the condition in 2010. He told the Hollywood Reporter, "I'm symptom-free now, but Lyme doesn't ever leave your system. It's a really tough thing."

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Kelly Osbourne - The star wrote about the disease in her 2018 memoir. She was bitten by a tick at her father's birthday party, where there was a reindeer sanctuary. Although the symptoms were there, she had to fight to convince doctors it was real.

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Ashley Olsen -

Various news sources have reported that the reason for the actress' elusiveness is that she was diagnosed very late in the stages of the disease and has been tending to her health.

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Richard Gere - The iconic actor had to postpone filming for 'Autumn in New York' while he was treated for Lyme. It's said that he, like Baldwin, truly believed he was going to die.

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Debbie Gibson -

The singer-songwriter told People that after being diagnosed in 2013, her cognitive skills suffered immensely. After fighting the disease for years, she has said she learned a lot about her body and is optimistic about her experiences.

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Michael J. Fox - Prior to being diagnosed with Parkinson's, the Canadian actor was diagnosed with Lyme disease. It is unconfirmed whether the two are related.

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Daryl Hall -

One half of Hall & Oates was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2005, forcing the group to cancel their tour that year. Healthline reports that Hall lived on the New York/Connecticut border, which is rife with deer, and that he experienced helplessness.

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Ally Hilfiger - Tommy Hilfiger's daughter has struggled with Lyme since she was seven, and she wrote extensively about her experiences in her book, 'Bite Me: How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy, and Almost Killed Me.'

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Jamie-Lynn Sigler - The former 'Sopranos' actress was one of the lucky ones who recognized the disease early and was successfully treated with antibiotics. She wrote about the life-changing experience in her memoir, 'Wise Girl: What I've Learned About Life, Love, and Loss.'

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Amy Tan -

The author of the novel 'The Joy Luck Club' experienced insomnia, aches, nausea, exhaustion, and seizures for years before she was diagnosed. She told the New York Times, "I have my life back, but I am not cured... I have permanent bodily damage, including epilepsy, a consequence of 16 lesions in my brain."

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George W. Bush - The former President of the United States was bitten by a tick and diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2006, but the illness was caught and treated early enough that he felt no lasting effects.

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Parker Posey - The actress, who got her start in 'Dazed and Confused,' was diagnosed in 2009. She started antibiotic treatment soon after, but has championed homeopathic remedies and supplements since the antibiotics did not restore her health completely.

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Christy Turlington - The model and philanthropist was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2007, but early detection and the right antibiotics eradicated the illness.

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Pete Seeger - The late folk singer was diagnosed with the disease in 2000. He passed away in 2014.

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Why it’s so common - Global warming has made typically cooler areas more hospitable to ticks. Furthermore, the destruction of deer habitat has caused both deer and ticks to move closer to areas inhabited by humans.

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The first sign - Symptoms can occur anywhere between three and 30 days after being bitten. The first sign is a rash that looks like a bulls-eye. It may expand up to 12 inches across, and flu-like symptoms may occur.

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How to avoid it - Black-legged ticks must be on you for at least 24 hours to transmit the bacteria, so make sure you remove any ticks you find immediately. Take care to use tick repellent before going out in the woods, and check your skin in the bath when you return.

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There isn’t a preventative vaccine just yet -

The majority of people treated in the infection stage recover fully with antibiotics. But if you don't feel right, it's best to ask questions, get informed, and make your concerns heard.

See also: Stars who suffer from chronic illnesses

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