Lyme disease, first discovered in Connecticut about 50 years ago, remains a serious medical problem in North America and some parts of Europe. Bacteria from tick bites, often in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States, spread the disease. Common symptoms include fever, tiredness, and a round “bull’s-eye” rash. Early infections are usually treated with antibiotics, but studies show that 10 to 20 percent of patients continue to experience long-term problems such as joint pain and chronic fatigue. A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine called for more research on these continuing symptoms and warned about companies selling unapproved and expensive treatments.

The difficulty of testing for Lyme disease has encouraged the growth of alternative methods, such as saliva or urine kits and therapies using lasers, herbs, or magnets. Experts stress that only antibody blood tests are officially approved in the United States, though these also have limits because antibodies may not appear until weeks after infection. Investigations found nearly 120 clinics offering unproven treatments, including oxygen chambers and long-term intravenous antibiotics, with costs reaching several thousand dollars. Medical specialists explained that extended antibiotic use has no proven benefit and may cause dangerous gut infections. Authorities urged caution, better research, and stronger public awareness to prevent unsafe and misleading practices.