Alexis Ohanian, husband of Serena Williams, reveals his Lyme disease diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of medical advice and sharing his journey.
Bollywood Fever: Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband of tennis icon Serena Williams, has revealed his Lyme disease diagnosis. The tech entrepreneur, 41, shared the surprising news on X/Twitter, explaining that doctors diagnosed him after a series of medical procedures.
“Doing a full battery of health scans, tests, etc., and found out I have Lyme disease,” Ohanian announced. “Wild. No symptoms, thankfully, but gonna treat.”
Ohanian detailed his health status, noting, “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.” He acknowledged a family history with the disease but was surprised by the diagnosis given his limited exposure to typical geographical risk areas.
“I’ve got a loved one who had it a few years back, showed tons of symptoms, etc., and just couldn’t figure it out until they tested him for it and then found it (treated it successfully, too),” Ohanian explained. He spends little time in the wilderness or northeastern U.S., areas where Lyme disease is more prevalent.
The entrepreneur assured his followers that he would seek appropriate medical treatment, jokingly adding, “Can’t keep me down, tick!” with a picture of The Tick cartoon character. He stressed the importance of professional medical advice, saying, “Please talk to a doctor! Do not listen to me for any health advice!”
The Mayo Clinic describes Lyme disease as an illness caused by borrelia bacteria, typically transmitted through tick bites. While the bacteria-carrying ticks are found throughout most of the United States, Lyme disease is most common in the upper Midwest, the northeastern, and mid-Atlantic states. Symptoms can range from fever and headaches to severe complications if left untreated.
The CDC estimates that 476,000 people may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease annually in the U.S. Most cases can be treated with a 10-14 day course of antibiotics, leading to rapid and complete recovery if addressed in the early stages.
Lyme disease has been a topic of controversy due to persistent symptoms and misinformation. The American Medical Association highlighted the challenges in treating the disease, noting the lack of evidence-based guidance for persistent symptoms and the broad use of the term “chronic Lyme disease.”
Ohanian joins a list of prominent figures who have publicly shared their battles with Lyme disease, including Yolanda Hadid, Bella Hadid, Justin Bieber, Ben Stiller, and Amy Schumer. Each has discussed the significant impact of the disease and the challenges of diagnosis and treatment.
Ohanian and Williams, who are parents to daughters Olympia, six, and Adira River, 11 months, were recently seen at the ESPYs in Los Angeles, where Williams served as a host. The tennis superstar made headlines during the ceremony for her remarks about NFL kicker Harrison Butker.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted through tick bites, with symptoms ranging from fever and fatigue to severe headaches and nerve pain. The CDC recommends avoiding tick bites by steering clear of grassy, brushy, or wooded areas and treating early symptoms with antibiotics to prevent more severe complications.
For those concerned about Lyme disease, Ohanian’s message is clear: seek professional medical advice and take appropriate precautions. His journey underscores the importance of awareness and early intervention in managing this potentially serious illness.
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