The pop singerJustin Bieber revealed on Instagram that he suffers from both Lyme disease and chronic mononucleosis. That's a tough combination. In a post on his Instagram account on Wednesday, the 25-year-old Canadian star explained that he recently learned of the diagnosis. For this reason, his often discussed appearance was a byproduct of the illness. The pop star also told his followers he had been battling chronic mono, which was affecting his skin, brain function and overall health. He will even reveal more details about his Lyme disease in an upcoming documentary series.
Tough fight for Justin Bieber
“It's been a tough time, but the right treatment will help treat this previously incurable disease and I'll be back and better than ever.” He shared this with his fans. About 30,000 cases of the tick-borne disease are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to authorities, the disease is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks). Adult animals and their babies attach themselves to hard-to-see places such as the groin, armpits and scalp for 36 to 48 hours to pass on the Lyme disease bacteria. Smaller ticks are more likely to be affected by the virus due to their size.
A bitten person may develop a rash around the bite area that feels hot and looks like a target. For those who do not develop the characteristic Lyme rash, the disease can be more difficult to diagnose because it can mimic symptoms of other illnesses. These can range from flu-like symptoms to neurological disorders such as facial paralysis or severe headaches.
Medicine can cure the disease through early diagnosis with antibiotics, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. However, late-stage detection can lead to joint inflammation, cardiac arrhythmias, and brain and nervous system complications. Model Hailey Bieber, Justin Bieber's wife, urged people who had downplayed the severity of the disease to educate themselves.
Other stars affected by this
Canadian singer Avril Lavigne is among those who have spoken about her struggles with Lyme disease and its complications. Lavigne told Billboard magazine in 2018 that she was bedridden for two years while battling the illness. She founded the Avril Lavigne Foundation, which provides funding and education about the disease. She tweeted that she was sorry that Justin Bieber was diagnosed with the disease. “The fact that it is so hard to diagnose and so debilitating is something I went through too,” she wrote.
