Lyme disease: Symptoms, treatment & a possible vaccine?

Added: 2026-05-06

[00:00:00]Have you seen these social media posts warning of farmers finding boxes of ticks in fields? Both vaccines and Lyme disease have long been fodder for conspiracy theories. News that a Lyme disease vaccine is under development sparked social media posts promoting unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about ticks being intentionally planted or released by the government or business interests to incentivize people to get vaccinated. That's not a real thing that's happening, but here's what is real. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the United States. And ticks are expanding their geographic range at the same time climate change is warmer temperatures and higher humidity are prolonging tick season. That means more people living near tick habitats, more time to be exposed, and more Lyme disease cases.

[00:00:45]People usually contract Lyme disease after they're bitten by a tick that carries the bacteria that causes it.

[00:00:50]There's currently no vaccine to protect against it in humans. It is prevalent in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and the West Coast, and found in other parts of the world such as Canada, Europe, and Asia. Untreated Lyme disease infections typically begin with a rash, fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, or muscle and joint aches and stiffness.

[00:01:09]Infections slowly move to other parts of your body, such as the heart, brain, or spinal cord. Lyme disease can be treated with a complete round of antibiotics.

[00:01:17]Many people see improvement, but some people report long-lasting symptoms for months or years. Without a vaccine, people are vulnerable to Lyme disease, and the risk of exposure is growing. As the threat of Lyme disease grows globally, the companies Pfizer and Valneva are working on a vaccine series to guard against it. The companies plan to seek FDA approval for their Lyme disease vaccine, but their success isn't guaranteed given the administration's aversion toward vaccines. Without a vaccine, the best way to avoid Lyme disease is to avoid tick bites. Use insect repellent and wear long protective clothing when spending time outdoors. It's best to remove ticks quickly if you're bitten, so conduct thorough tick checks regularly for yourself, your children, and outdoor pets such as the family dog. Have more questions about keeping yourself summer?

[00:02:01]Let us know in the comments.