Celebrities send Justin Bieber 'love and strength' following Lyme disease revelation

The singer has gone public with his diagnosis on Instagram

Justin Bieber has Lyme disease, the pop superstar revealed on his Instagram account on Wednesday, January 8. AFP 

Justin Bieber has been battling Lyme disease for the past "couple of years", the singer revealed this week.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the pop star shared a screen grab of a TMZ article about him to confirm the news.

He wrote that “it’s been a rough couple years but [I’m] getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever".

“While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like [he is] on meth etc they failed to realise 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,” he said.

Since going public with his condition, celebrities have spoken out in support of the star.

Like Bieber, Avril Lavigne has been diagnosed with the disease. On his Instagram post the Canadian singer commented: "Sending you love and strength."

She also wrote a longer post on her own Instagram, reflecting on the condition, writing: "There are too many people that have this debilitating disease! People I love and care about and many friends and fans I have crossed paths with.

"To everyone affected by Lyme, I want to tell you that there is hope. Because Lyme is a daily struggle, for the better part of two years, I was really sick and fighting for my life."

Other stars to reach out include Patrick Schwarzenegger, who commented, "Keep going brother", YouTuber Logan Paul wrote, "Adapt and overcome, nothing stops the king" and Rapper 2 Chainz simply posted the strong arm emoji.

The Grammy-winning singer said he will discuss battling the tick-borne infection on his upcoming YouTube docu-series, Justin Bieber: Seasons, which will debuts on Monday, January 27. The 10-episode show will follow Bieber while he creates his new album and will also highlight his private life.

“You can learn all that I've been battling and overcoming,” he wrote on Instagram.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is transmitted by Ixodes ticks, also known as deer ticks. Lyme can cause flu-like conditions, neurological problems, joint paint and other symptoms.

Though Bieber called it incurable, in the vast majority of cases, Lyme disease is successfully treated with antibiotics.