YOU MAY HAVE come across some videos on social media of Justin Timberlake giving some fairly unenthusiastic concert performances recently. The videos have gone viral, with the 44-year-old singer looking visibly fatigued on stage after more than a year on tour and viewers are questioning what’s up. Now, Timberlake has provided an explanation: he’s suffering from Lyme disease.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Timberlake confirmed he’s been battling the tick-borne illness throughout his world tour. Despite the illness causing severe fatigue, nerve pain and mental fog, the singer says he chose to keep performing because “the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling,” he said.
“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,” Timberlake said.
“If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” he continued. “When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria, transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick (also called a deer tick). In its early stages, Lyme disease may cause symptoms like fever and chills, muscle and joint aches, distinctive bullseye-shaped rash, fatigue and headaches.
If left untreated, it can lead to long-term complications affecting the nervous system, joints and heart.
How do you get lyme disease?
Lyme disease is most commonly contracted in wooded or grassy areas where ticks thrive, particularly in the USA and parts of Europe. Although Australia has no confirmed endemic cases of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, there is ongoing debate about Lyme-like illnesses here. Some believe Australia may have its own strains of bacteria causing similar symptoms.
How is Lyme disease treated
Once diagnosed, most Lyme disease patients are prescribed a course of antibiotics, which are effective in the majority of early-stage cases. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatories and dietary changes are sometimes used to manage longer-term symptoms.
