What is Lyme, the disease that Justin Timberlake suffers from

Justin Timberlake confirmed that he has Lyme disease and that this diagnosis was the reason behind the fatigue and criticism he received during his latest tour. The news caused a stir among his fans, who had noticed his low performance on stage.

In an Instagram post, the 44-year-old artist announced that he ended the “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” early, after performing in Istanbul, Türkiye. The message was accompanied by photos and a personal reflection on the physical challenges he faced.

“I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. I'm not sharing this for pity, but to tell what I experienced behind the scenes,” he wrote. He also expressed his initial surprise and the impact the diagnosis had: “I was in shock. This disease can be extremely debilitating, both mentally and physically.”

What is Lyme disease and how is it transmitted

Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, headache, and a characteristic skin rash known as erythema migrans.

If detected early, it is usually treated with oral antibiotics for several weeks. However, if not treated properly, the bacterium can affect the heart, joints, and nervous system, and in extreme cases, be fatal.

The main reservoir of these ticks is usually deer and rodents that live in wooded areas. Cases have been detected in much of the United States, Central and Eastern Europe, and some regions of Asia. No equivalent strains have been identified in Argentina.

A disease with history and other affected celebrities

The first medical records date back to 1909, in Sweden. However, the term "Lyme disease" emerged after an epidemic of arthritis of unknown cause in 1975 in the town of Lyme, Connecticut, United States. The investigation began there, which years later led to the discovery of the responsible bacterium, isolated in 1982.

Justin Timberlake is not the first celebrity to suffer from this condition. Before him, figures such as Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber and Shania Twain shared their own battles against this disease, which affects tens of thousands of people per year in the United States alone.

The previous criticism and Timberlake's response

Before his diagnosis became known, the singer had received harsh criticism for what some fans described as “weak” and “minimal” shows. He was visibly exhausted in his recent performances in Georgia, and many demanded refunds for what they considered a “low-energy show.”

In his statement, Timberlake acknowledged that he performed while dealing with health problems, but decided to move forward. “The joy I get from performing outweighed the stress I felt,” he said. Married to actress Jessica Biel, the singer concluded his tour on July 30 and will take some time to focus on his recovery.