Serena Williams’ husband receives shock diagnosis age 41

On July 16, 2024, venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian shared a post on X that shocked his almost 600,000 followers.

The 41-year-old man, who married tennis star Serena Williams in 2017, revealed he was getting a full check-up when doctors discovered he has Lyme disease.

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 14: Serena Williams (USA) reacts during the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio on August 14, 2018. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“Doing a full battery of health scans, tests, etc, and found out I have lyme disease. Wild. No symptoms, thankfully, but gonna treat,” writes the co-founder of Reddit. “Good cholesterol is too low. Bad cholesterol is just OK. Gotta work on that.”

According to the Mayo Clinic there are three levels of severity and “some people don’t have symptoms of the typical early stage” of Lyme disease, an illness caused by the bite of an infected tick.

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 2 : Alexis Ohanian, husband of Serena Williams and their daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr attend Serena Williams last match on Arthur Ashe stadium during Day 5 of the US Open 2022, 4th Grand Slam of the season, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2022 in Queens, New York City. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/GC Images)

‘Quite a surprise’

In a following post, the father of two writes the diagnosis came as “quite a surprise” since he doesn’t spend much time in the Northeast or in the wilderness, where ticks – and Lyme disease – are most common.

“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,” shares the New York-born Ohanian.

The entrepreneur’s followers jumped into the comments section, offering their support and sharing their own experiences.

“I had Lyme and it was dormant for about 4-5 months, then suddenly my leg started swelling randomly out of nowhere,” shares one user, who says he lives in New York City and Lyme was not initially suspected.

A second netizen shares their frightening symptoms: “I have Lyme as well – please treat before it gets too bad! I’m much better now but my cognitive function greatly diminished back in 2019, along with other complications.” The user continues, “Happy to chat more through it if you ever need it.”

Another cyber fan writes, “Lyme disease is awful. You’re lucky you have no symptoms. It can be the cause of a lot of undiagnosed health problems.”

‘Can’t keep me down’

Still, Ohanian is not letting the diagnosis run his life.

“Anyway, gonna grab some antibiotics – can’t keep me down, tick!”

He ended his posts with a final message where he encourages people to consult a doctor for health advice rather than relying on his personal experience.

Ohanian is one of several celebrities, including Shania Twain, Amy Schumer, Justin Bieber, Ben Stiller and Yolanda and Bella Hadid, who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease.

What you need to know about Lyme disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 63,000 cases of Lyme disease reported across the United States in 2022.

The illness is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks).

Credit: Shutterstock

In most cases, the tick must be attached to the skin for at least 24 hours before the bacterium can be transmitted.

Early symptoms (three days to one month after tick bite)

  • Red, expanding rash called erythema migrans (often resembling a bull’s-eye)
  • Flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, swollen lymph nodes

Later symptoms (if untreated)

  • Severe headaches and neck stiffness
  • Additional rashes on other areas of the body
  • Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees
  • Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)
  • Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)
  • Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
  • Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
  • Nerve pain

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is primarily based on symptoms, medical history, and the possibility of exposure to ticks. Laboratory testing can help confirm the diagnosis by detecting antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in the blood.

Prevention

  • Avoid tick habitats (wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter).
  • Use insect repellent containing DEET or permethrin-treated clothing.
  • Perform tick checks after spending time outdoors, and promptly remove any ticks found.

Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent complications of Lyme disease. If you suspect you have been bitten by a tick or have symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly

Related Posts

EMBRACE YOUR CONFIDENCE AND SENSUALITY

Embrace your confidence and sensuality, proving that true beauty knows no age. Mature women, with their life experiences, exude a unique charm that captivates and mesmerizes. For…

Shannen Doherty’s mom Rosa fulfills late actress’ dying wish: ‘I am now going to be doing my best’

Rosa explained how much the podcast meant to Shannen “because it allowed her to tell her story and tell her truth.” “I wanna do this, and I…

Marlo Thomas speaks out after ‘beloved’ husband Phil Donahue’s death: ‘I lost my sweetheart’

Thomas went on to explain she would be taking a break from social media to “take care of myself and the many people who took care of…

‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ star Tammy Slaton reveals staggering 500-pound weight loss

In the clip, one by one seven women walk into the frame and as each one joins the others, a number signifying how much weight they have…

Meghan Markle’s direct order to Prince Harry during Colombia tour revealed by lip reader

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were said to have made certain royals furious with their trip to Nigeria earlier this year. With their current visit to Colombia,…

17-year-old Prom King found dead just one hour after being reported missing

The Water Rescue team is said to have recovered the teen’s body in 15 to 20 feet of water. Ayden was pronounced dead at the scene. Compounding…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *