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Quick answerCan you get Lyme disease twice?
Yes. Having Lyme disease once does not make you immune. Here is what research shows about reinfection, and why testing can be tricky the second time.
Quick answer
Yes, you can get Lyme disease more than once. CDC says the antibodies your body makes do not reliably prevent reinfection if another infected tick bites you. Research on people with repeat Lyme rashes found that each new episode came from a different strain of the bacteria, meaning a new infection rather than the old one coming back.
- Antibodies against Lyme bacteria do not reliably prevent reinfection from a new infected tick bite (CDC).
- After a positive Lyme antibody test, results will likely stay positive for months to years, even after the bacteria are gone. A positive test alone does not prove a new or active infection (CDC).
Why you are not immune after Lyme disease
With some infections, getting sick once protects you for years. Lyme disease does not work that way. Your body does make antibodies, but CDC says they do not reliably protect you from a new infection. People who live, work or spend time outdoors in tick areas can be bitten again, season after season.
That is why people who have had Lyme disease should keep using tick bite prevention, and watch for symptoms after any new bite.
Reinfection or relapse?
If Lyme symptoms show up again, a common worry is that the first infection never cleared. Researchers tested this in people who had more than one Lyme rash (erythema migrans) and had been treated with standard antibiotics. They compared the genetic fingerprint of the bacteria from each episode in 17 patients with 22 pairs of episodes (Nadelman et al., 2012).
- In every pair, the strain from the second rash was different from the first.
- The authors concluded that repeat rashes in properly treated patients were caused by new infections, not relapse.
This study looked at repeat rashes, not every kind of lingering symptom. Ongoing fatigue or aches after treatment are a different issue; see chronic Lyme disease and how long Lyme disease lasts.
Testing the second time
Blood tests for Lyme disease look for antibodies. CDC explains that once a test turns positive, it will likely stay positive for months to years, even when the bacteria are no longer present. So for someone who had Lyme disease before, a positive test does not by itself mean a new infection. A provider will look closely at your symptoms, such as a new expanding rash, and any recent tick exposure. Read more in our Lyme disease test guide.
Protecting yourself from another infection
- Use an EPA-registered repellent and treat outdoor gear as directed.
- Do a full-body tick check after time outdoors, including on kids and pets.
- Remove attached ticks promptly. CDC says removing a tick within 24 hours greatly lowers the risk.
- See a provider if a new rash, fever or other symptoms appear after a bite.
Step-by-step help: Lyme disease prevention and what to do after a tick bite.
We are collecting real experiences about getting Lyme disease more than once from people who have lived it, shared with their permission. As stories come in, they will appear here, clearly marked as personal experience rather than medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Are you immune to Lyme disease after having it?
No. CDC says antibodies do not reliably prevent reinfection after a new infected tick bite.
If my Lyme symptoms come back, is it a relapse?
Not necessarily. In a study of repeat Lyme rashes, every new episode came from a different strain, showing reinfection rather than relapse (Nadelman et al., 2012). Talk to your provider about any returning symptoms.
Will my Lyme test stay positive?
Likely, for months to years, even after the bacteria are gone (CDC). That is why a positive test alone does not prove a new infection.