Why “Lyme Disease” Has Become an Umbrella Term And What You Need to Know About Co-Infections

Lyme disease is one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed illnesses in modern medicine. It’s not just a single bacterial infection. Instead, “Lyme disease” has become an umbrella term for a complex group of tick-borne illnesses. While most people associate it with Borrelia burgdorferi, the primary bacterium behind Lyme disease, a single tick bite can transmit multiple pathogens at once. These co-infections complicate diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.

Even more frustrating? Not all cases present with the telltale bullseye rash, and Lyme disease often mimics other chronic conditions. This creates a painful cycle of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments.

If you’ve been chasing symptoms without clear answers, this may be the missing piece. Understanding chronic Lyme disease and its co-infections could help you finally reclaim your health.

What Exactly Is a Co-Infection?

A co-infection happens when a tick transmits more than one pathogen in a single bite. Ticks are nature’s “dirty syringes,” often carrying bacteria, parasites, and viruses together.

While Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease, other pathogens are just as common and require their own unique testing and treatment. If left undiagnosed, these infections can persist, contributing to ongoing or worsening symptoms of Chronic Lyme disease.

This is why so many Lyme patients struggle with misdiagnosis: a broad label of “Lyme disease” often overlooks the bigger picture.

Why “Lyme Disease” Is an Incomplete Term

The term “Lyme disease” is often used broadly for tick-borne illnesses, but this can be misleading. Each pathogen has its own set of symptoms and treatment needs. Someone diagnosed with “Lyme” may, in reality, be dealing with multiple infections.

• Not all cases show a bullseye rash.

• Symptoms often overlap with autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and even mental health conditions.

• Tick checks after outdoor activity are essential, as bites often go unnoticed.

This complexity is why precise testing and comprehensive evaluation are critical for proper recovery.

Common Tick-Borne Co-Infections in the U.S.

Here are the most common co-infections that can accompany Lyme disease:

Babesia / Babesiosis

• Type: Protozoan parasite (malaria-like)

• Symptoms: Fever, chills, fatigue, sweats, anemia; severe cases affect the liver, spleen, and lungs.

• Treatment: Requires antimalarial therapy — standard Lyme antibiotics won’t work.

Bartonella / Bartonellosis

• Type: Bacteria

• Symptoms: Neurological issues, swollen lymph nodes, streak-like rashes, fever.

• Other notes: Also known as “cat scratch fever,” spread by ticks, fleas, and lice.

Ehrlichia / Ehrlichiosis

• Type: Bacteria

• Symptoms: High fever, muscle aches, fatigue, low white blood cell counts.

• Complication: Weakens immunity, making Lyme recovery harder.

Anaplasma / Anaplasmosis

• Type: Bacteria

• Symptoms: Fever, chills, headaches, muscle pain, digestive distress.

• Complication: Similar to Ehrlichia, affects white blood cells.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

• Type: Bacteria (Rickettsia rickettsii)

• Symptoms: Fever, headache, rash, muscle pain; advanced cases may cause neurological damage and organ failure.

• Risk: Can be life-threatening if untreated.

Borrelia Miyamotoi

• Type: Bacteria (Borrelia family)

• Symptoms: Similar to Lyme — fever, chills, fatigue, joint pain.

• Treatment: Requires a slightly different antibiotic approach than Borrelia burgdorferi.

How Common Are Co-Infections?

Co-infections are more common than most people realize. Research shows that:

• About 10–20% of Lyme patients experience lingering symptoms after treatment.

• Nearly half of these patients may actually be battling one or more co-infections.

Without addressing these co-infections, recovery can stall — or feel impossible.

Why Comprehensive Testing Matters

Standard Lyme tests often miss co-infections. Each pathogen requires specific testing and treatment. Advanced labs, such as IGeneX, provide panels that check for multiple tick-borne infections at once.

In my own practice, I begin with bioenergetic assessments and muscle testing to screen for possible co-infections, then recommend targeted medical testing for confirmation. This layered approach helps uncover hidden pathogens that might otherwise go undetected.

Final Takeaway: Co-Infections May Be the Missing Link in Your Recovery

When we talk about Lyme disease, we’re rarely talking about just Lyme. Each co-infection adds another layer of complexity. Overlapping symptoms, missed diagnoses, and incomplete treatment plans often keep patients stuck in cycles of illness.

The key to breaking free? Comprehensive testing, accurate diagnosis, and individualized treatment.

Take the Next Step

If you’re struggling with unexplained symptoms, you don’t have to face this alone. I’ve been where you are — and my mission is to help others find the answers that changed my life.

Here’s how we can start your healing journey together:

• Book a consultation → We’ll begin with a bioenergetic assessment to identify imbalances and potential co-infections.

• Explore Wellhistic supplements → Formulated to support immune health, detox pathways, and energy restoration.

• Take the Lyme Disease Quiz → Assess your symptoms and determine if further testing is needed.

• Dive deeper → Explore my blog for in-depth insights on Lyme, chronic illness, and co-infection recovery.

You don’t have to suffer in silence. Together, we’ll uncover the root cause of your symptoms and create a path toward true healing.

To your invisible battles & unseen strength,
Carola Le-Wriedt
Founder, Wellhistic & The Holistic Detox