Lyme Disease in School-Aged Children: Symptoms to Watch For and How to Support Students
As students head back to the classroom, it’s easy to get caught up in supply lists, routines, and new beginnings. But for some children, especially those dealing with chronic health conditions like Lyme disease, the school year brings more than just textbooks and tests — it brings invisible challenges that can deeply affect their learning and well-being.
Lyme disease, transmitted through tick bites, isn’t just a concern for those who spend time hiking or camping. Infected ticks can be found in suburban backyards, schoolyards, and city parks. And when Lyme shows up in children, it doesn’t always look like a bullseye rash. It often looks like a struggling student — tired, anxious, distracted, or frequently absent.
Knowing the signs and understanding how to support these students can make all the difference in their long-term health, development, and academic success.
Subtle Signs of Lyme Disease in the Classroom
1. Unexplained Fatigue
One of the most common early symptoms of Lyme disease is persistent fatigue — the kind that sleep doesn’t fix. A child with Lyme may seem disengaged, struggle to stay awake during class, or appear “lazy” when in reality, their body is fighting a systemic infection. Teachers might notice them putting their head down, zoning out, or opting out of physical activity.
📌 Fatigue is often one of the first red flags — especially if it appears suddenly and without explanation.
2. Cognitive Difficulties (a.k.a. “Brain Fog”)
Lyme can affect the brain, making it hard for children to focus, remember instructions, or process information at their usual speed. Teachers might notice a sharp student suddenly struggling to complete assignments or appearing forgetful. Parents may hear, “They’re just not paying attention,” when the reality is much deeper.
✏️ Declining grades or poor focus could be misattributed to behavioral issues instead of underlying inflammation or neurological changes.
3. Emotional and Behavioral Changes
Lyme disease can trigger neurological inflammation that affects mood and behavior. A previously even-tempered child may suddenly exhibit irritability, anxiety, or sadness. They might have emotional outbursts or seem easily overwhelmed. This is especially true for children with co-infections or overlapping diagnoses like PANS/PANDAS or MCAS.
💬 When children act “differently” but can’t explain why, it’s time to look deeper — not discipline faster.
4. Physical Symptoms That Don’t Go Away
While not always obvious, physical symptoms often accompany or precede the emotional and cognitive ones. These may include:
Headaches
Dizziness
Joint pain or growing pains
Digestive issues
Fevers that come and go
Sensitivity to light or sound
Unexplained rashes (especially a bullseye-like pattern)
⚠️ A pattern of vague or migrating symptoms should never be ignored — especially if traditional testing isn’t yielding answers.
5. Chronic Absenteeism
One of the most telling signs is frequent or prolonged absences from school. Parents may be seeking answers from multiple specialists. Meanwhile, the student falls behind academically and socially — not because of a lack of interest or effort, but because their body is in survival mode.
🗓️ If a child is “always out sick” but no one can figure out why, Lyme should be on the differential list.
What Schools and Caregivers Can Do to Help
1. Educate the Team
Teachers, counselors, and school nurses should be aware of Lyme symptoms and how they can present differently in children. Share articles, offer printed resources, and talk openly with staff about the realities of chronic Lyme and related conditions.
Consider reaching out with handouts or links from ILADS, Global Lyme Alliance, or even a resource page you create on Lyme Advise.
2. Create a Communication Loop
If you're a parent noticing troubling patterns — fatigue, emotional swings, missed school — document them. Communicate openly with teachers and health providers. If you’re a teacher or staff member noticing these things, bring them up kindly and directly. The earlier Lyme is caught, the easier it is to treat.
3. Support, Don’t Shame
Students with chronic illness often internalize the idea that they’re “difficult” or “lazy.” Simple accommodations like extended time, reduced homework loads, or even a designated break space can go a long way. But more importantly: believe them when they say they’re struggling.
🧠 Validation is one of the most powerful supports you can offer a chronically ill child.
Final Thoughts: We All Have a Role to Play
No one expects teachers to become doctors, or parents to recognize every symptom perfectly. But raising awareness around Lyme disease and its subtle signs is the first step in protecting the health and potential of students everywhere.
If you’re a parent, advocate for your child.
If you’re a teacher, observe with compassion.
If you’re a student… you’re not imagining it — and you’re not alone.
Together, we can create safer, more supportive school environments for kids living with Lyme and other invisible illnesses.