• Alisha Staley's son has been battling chronic Lyme disease for 5.5 years, significantly impacting his quality of life.
• Lyme disease is often hard to detect due to non-specific symptoms and the potential absence of a bullseye rash.
• Early medical attention and diligent outdoor precautions are recommended to prevent and address Lyme disease.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and Alisha Staley is sharing her son's experience with chronic Lyme disease to highlight the challenges and impacts of the illness. Her son was diagnosed years after a tick bite, and has been battling debilitating symptoms for five and a half years. The disease has prevented him from experiencing a normal teenage life, including attending high school or pursuing work and college opportunities. Health experts emphasize the difficulty in detecting Lyme disease, and the importance of early intervention.

• What: Chronic Lyme disease impacting a young man's life after a tick bite, including cognitive and physical pain, and preventing him from attending school or working.
• Who: Alisha Staley (mother), her son (affected by Lyme disease), Christopher Johnson (OhioHealth Physician Group family doctor), Ohio Department of Health.
• When: Diagnosis occurred years after the tick bite; symptoms started when the son was 15; the article was published in May (Lyme Disease Awareness Month) 2025.
• Where: Columbus, Ohio.

The article highlights the significant impact of chronic Lyme disease on individuals and families. It underscores the difficulty in diagnosing the condition due to its generalized symptoms, which often mimic other illnesses. The story emphasizes the importance of early detection, prompt medical attention, and preventative measures to reduce the risk of tick bites. The advocacy of Alisha Staley aims to raise awareness and encourage others to be proactive about their health and seek answers when faced with unexplained symptoms.

It's been about five and a half years of debilitating symptoms. He's 20 now. This all started when he was 15. If you ask him now, he'd say he still feels like he's 15 because his life stopped at 15.

The hallmark symptoms are fatigue and headache, body aches, lymph nodes that are swollen. That's also what makes Lyme disease hard is those are kind of generalized symptoms we have when we don't feel well.

Chronic Lyme disease presents significant challenges for those affected, as illustrated by Alisha Staley's son's experience. The difficulty in diagnosing the disease necessitates increased awareness and vigilance. Early medical intervention and preventative measures remain crucial in mitigating the impact of Lyme disease. Staley's advocacy offers hope and encouragement for others battling similar health challenges.