Lyme disease & pregnancy

I have recently discovered I am 5 weeks pregnant, whilst my husband and I are very happy my husband is currently suffering from lymes disease and is being treated with doxycycline. I want to know if his illness and medication will effect the fetus in anyway?

[Arti Sharma, M.D.]

Hi there,
Lymes disease is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. But precautions should be taken to prevent spread of the illness through modes of transmission like blood transfusion. Transmission of Lyme’s from a pregnant woman to her unborn child may occur but proven cases are rare. It does not cause any birth defects or fetal death. It is best to consult a gynecologist and disclose about your husband’s illness. A general examination and assurance will help.
Take care and regards!