Alexis Ohanian has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, despite having ‘no symptoms’.
The Reddit co-founder, who is currently married to Serena Williams, confirmed the news on Twitter, sharing that his illness was ‘quite a surprise’.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is often spread to humans by infected ticks – it can cause joint and muscle pain, headaches, tiredness, and loss of energy.
Taking to Twitter, the 41-year-old penned: ‘Doing a full battery of health scans, tests, etc, and found out I have Lyme disease. Wild. No symptoms, thankfully, but gonna treat.
‘Good cholesterol is too low. Bad cholesterol is just OK. Gotta work on that. On the plus-side: 822 ng/dL total + 162 ng/dL free testosterone.
‘I’ve got a loved one who had it a few years back, showed tons symptoms etc and just couldn’t figure it out until they tested him for it and then found it (treated it successfully, too).
‘I spend so little time in the wilderness/northeast this was quite a surprise [sic].’
Vowing that he wouldn’t stopped, the dad-of-two added: ‘Anyway, gonna grab some antibiotics — can’t keep me down, tick!
‘(Please talk to a doctor! Do not listen to me for any health advice!)’
According to the Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease is caused by borrelia bacteria – people usually get it from a tick bite.
Those who spend time in ‘grassy, brushy or wooded areas’ can be more at risk of contracting the condition.
Symptoms can include headaches, a fever, extreme tiredness, rashes and stiffness, with some sufferers also complaining of swelling, numbness or weakness in the hands of feet, and pain around the body.
Alexis isn’t the only famous face who has spoken about battling the illness – Bella Hadid, Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne and Ben Stiller are just some of those who have opened up about their symptoms.
The entrepreneur has had a busy few months after welcoming his second child with wife Serena.
What is Lyme disease?
According to the NHS, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. It’s usually easier to treat if it’s diagnosed early.
A circular or oval shape rash around a tick bite can be an early symptom of Lyme disease in some people.
Some people also get flu-like symptoms a few days or weeks after they were bitten by an infected tick, such as:
- a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- headache
- muscle and joint pain
- tiredness and loss of energy
The couple first got engaged in December, 2016, before tying the knot in a star-studded ceremony the following year – surrounded by Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and Kim Kardashian.
They welcomed their first daughter, Alexis Olympia, in September, 2017, before the tennis ace announced her second pregnancy in style at the Met Gala last May.
Last August, the lovebirds confirmed that they had added to their family once again with baby Adira.
Sharing the first glimpse at their new addition, Alexis posted on Instagram at the time: ‘Welcome, Adira River Ohanian. I’m grateful to report our house is teaming with love: a happy & healthy newborn girl and happy & healthy mama. Feeling grateful.
‘@serenawilliams you’ve now given me another incomparable gift — you’re the GMOAT. Thanks to all the amazing medical staff who took care of my wife & our daughter.
‘I’ll never forget the moment I introduced @olympiaohanian to her baby sister.’