Timberlake's symptoms

The 44-year-old singer shared the news in an Instagram post, explaining that the disease had taken a toll on him behind the scenes.

"If you've experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you're aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically," Timberlake wrote. "When I first got the diagnosis, I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness."

According to People, Timberlake initially believed his symptoms were related to aging and the physical demands of performing. "He's not 20 anymore," a family source said. "But when his symptoms worsened, he realized something deeper was going on." The source added that Timberlake had "pushed through for months before finally getting answers," and that the diagnosis "brought clarity to a series of unexplained issues that he's been quietly dealing with."

Jessica Biel, Timberlake's wife, "felt like something was off" and encouraged him to seek medical help, the source told People. "She could tell that he wasn't himself. She's incredibly supportive."

Following the end of his tour, Timberlake is now focusing on rest and recovery. "He's taking it seriously," the source added. "The plan is to rest, spend time with Jess and the kids and do everything he can to heal … Now he can focus on his health."

Timberlake also acknowledged his reluctance to share his diagnosis publicly. "I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself," he wrote. "But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren't misinterpreted." 

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected black-legged tick. According to CDC, it is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States, with an estimated 476,000 people treated for it in annually. In 2023, more than 89,000 cases were officially reported.

"In the U.S., Lyme disease is most commonly found in the Northeast and upper Midwest — in a belt stretching from New England to Wisconsin — with peak transmission from late spring to early fall," MedPage Today reports.

Treatment and recovery

There is currently no vaccine for Lyme disease, but it is treatable with antibiotics, particularly if diagnosed early. A standard course of treatment typically lasts 10 to 14 days and includes medications such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime, depending on the patient's age, health status, and medical history.

Delayed treatment can lead to a condition known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), where symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and mental fog persist for six months or longer after antibiotics. Timberlake's symptoms, including "nerve pain" and "mental fog," appear consistent with PTLDS, Huang said.

"Individuals experiencing persistent symptoms after Lyme disease treatment may benefit from consulting a rheumatologist or other specialist experienced in managing post-infectious syndrome," Huang said.

Although the exact cause of PTLDS is unknown, "current scientific understanding indicates that PTLDS is not caused by continued bacterial presence but rather represents a complex constellation of symptoms with an as-yet unknown etiology," Huang said.

CDC has released a toolkit to support physicians managing PTLDS, and the American Medical Association has launched a continuing education module to aid in long-term care.

Timberlake said he hopes that by sharing his diagnosis, he can help others feel less alone. "Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected," Timberlake wrote. "I'd like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too."