Glossary Term

Co-Infections

A patient shorthand for overlapping tick-borne infections or related concerns discussed alongside Lyme disease.

Definition

Co-infections is a broad term for two or more infections occurring at the same time. CDC notes that blacklegged ticks can transmit Lyme disease and certain other tick-borne diseases, but which infections occur together varies by place and time.

Why it matters here

A clinician should interpret symptoms, exposure, geography, and appropriate testing rather than assume every overlapping symptom proves another infection.