Can I Get Lyme Disease More Than Once?

Lifetime Exposure

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis). If you are exposed to multiple infected ticks over the course of your lifetime, your risk of contracting Lyme disease increases. For example, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people who spent more than 5,000 hours outdoors in areas with high Lyme disease incidence were more likely to contract the disease.

Repeated Exposure to Infected Ticks

Repeated exposure to infected ticks is a significant risk factor for contracting Lyme disease. If you are a hunter, hiker, or outdoorsperson, you may be at increased risk of tick bites and subsequent Lyme disease. To minimize this risk, use a combination of personal protective equipment (PPE), including permethrin-treated clothing and insect repellents, along with regular tick checks. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend conducting tick checks every 10-15 minutes while outdoors, paying particular attention to areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp.

Vaccination and Prevention

While vaccination is not currently available for Lyme disease, prevention strategies can significantly reduce your risk of contracting the disease. These strategies include using PPE, conducting regular tick checks, and removing attached ticks promptly and correctly. For example, to remove a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not use home remedies such as petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to try to remove the tick.