Justin Timberlake told fans of his “debilitating” health battle – having been diagnosed with Lyme disease – in a post on Instagram, following concerns over his performances
Following Justin Timberlake’s Lyme disease diagnosis, the Mirror has tonight outlined the key symptoms of the bacterial infection.
Spread to humans by infected ticks, Lyme disease causes tiredness, aches and loss of energy, which can last for years. Justin, 44, told his fans about his diagnosis on Instagram on Thursday following the completion of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour. The singer said he wanted to “shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes” during his tour, which began in Vancouver, Canada in April last year and ended in Istanbul, Turkey this week.
“As I’m reflecting on the tour and festival tour — I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on with me. Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease — which I don’t say so you feel bad for me — but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes,” the Mirrors singer said on Instagram. It comes after the NHS warns mouth symptom could be life-shortening disease.
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The Mirror has highlighted the plights of people diagnosed with Lyme disease in recent years. Lorraine Damonte, who was battling the crippling disease, had to endure her children screaming “I don’t want to die, I don’t want to be like you” after they contracted the infection too. Lorraine, from Sevenoaks, Kent, fought the vile bacterial illness for almost ten years and at one point thought she was going to die.
The mum experienced bloodshot eyes, nausea, joint pain and fatigue, telltale symptoms. It is unclear which signs Justin, who has won ten Grammy Awards, experienced but he referenced “crazy fatigue or sickness” and “joint pain” in his full Instagram post. In it, the star, from Memphis, Tennessee, told fans he was desperate to continue his tour despite the challenges.
The NHS lists joint pain as a common Lyme disease symptom. However, it adds a circular or oval shape rash around a tick bite is the most common early symptom. The full list, as published on its website, reads;
- Circular or oval shape rash around a tick bite
- a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- tiredness and loss of energy
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Ticks which may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK, but high-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands. If you think you could have Lyme disease the GP will ask about your symptoms and consider any rash or recent tick bites.
But Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose. It has similar symptoms to other conditions and there’s not always an obvious rash. Two types of blood test are available to help confirm or rule out Lyme disease, however these tests are not always accurate in the early stages of the disease.
You may need to be retested if you still have Lyme disease symptoms after a negative result, the NHS says. A course of antibiotics is typically the best treatment for the infection.