Pop superstar Justin Bieber announced Wednesday that he has Lyme disease.
In a post on Instagram, Bieber said he will address his struggle with the illness, which is contracted through a tick bite, in a YouTube documentary.
“It’s been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever,” the 25-year-old entertainer wrote in the post’s caption.
He called out critics who he says have been unfairly commenting on his looks by saying he looks like he is “on meth.”
“They failed to realize I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my, skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.”
The post’s photos include pictures said to be taken in September of Bieber appearing to be hooked up to an IV drip.
The photo portion of Bieber’s post shows a TMZ article reporting that the YouTube documentary is set for a Jan. 27 release.
In subsequent Instagram posts and on his Instagram story later in the day, Bieber thanked his fans for supporting his new song “Yummy,” released last week.
Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, joint aches and a “bull’s-eye” rash that occurs in 70 to 80 percent of infections.
Most people who are treated with antibiotics early fully recover, according to the CDC, though the infection can become severe or prolonged in some cases.
