Justin Bieber diagnosed with Lyme disease: ‘It’s been a rough couple of years’
Singer is latest high-profile celebrity to contract debilitating illness
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Justin Bieber has been diagnosed with Lyme disease.
The singer is the latest celebrity to reveal they suffer from the debilitating illness that’s spread to humans by infected ticks.
Symptoms can include headaches, tiredness, muscle and joint pain and loss of energy.
Other famous figures to have suffered from the infection include actor Alec Baldwin, model Bella Hadid and singer Avril Lavigne.
In 2015, Lavigne revealed she had been battling the condition for a year and said she was bedridden for five months.
Shania Twain has told how the disease left her unable to sing after she was bitten by a tick in 2003 while in the US.
Bieber, who is married to Hailey Baldwin, posted a message on Instagram revealing the diagnosis and saying he had experienced “a rough couple of years”.
He wrote: “While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s***, on meth etc they failed to realise I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.”
He vowed to be “back and better than ever” and said he’d go into more detail about the diagnosis in a forthcoming documentary series.
Lyme disease is spread to humans if they are bitten by an infected tick – not all ticks carry the bacteria that causes the condition.
Ticks with Lyme disease can be found across the UK, but are most prevalent in grassy, wooded areas. They are most active between March and October.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
The disease was first reported in the US in 1977 in Old Lyme, Connecticut, which is how it acquired its name.
Perhaps the most vocal campaigner trying to raise awareness of Lyme disease is the Dutch former model Yolanda Hadid, who said the illness has left her “often wishing to die of utter hopelessness and exhaustion”.
Hadid’s children, the models Bella and Anwar, are also said to suffer from the condition.
Additional reporting from Agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments