"Bachelor" star Kelley Flanagan tearfully opened up to fans about a recent change in her health, revealing that she has tested positive for Lyme disease.
In an emotional video shared on Monday, Flanagan said that she may have been unknowingly wrestling with the disease for a while, saying, "I always felt like my body's been so much more sensitive and super reactive to a bunch of things."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium transmitted to humans via infected tick bites. Common symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash. Without treatment, the infection can spread to the joints, heart and the nervous system.
MORE: Kelley Flanagan says she would 'definitely consider' being the next BacheloretteMost cases can be successfully treated with antibiotics over the course of a few weeks.
Noting that she "just got the results back," the reality star said she is now focused on making a full recovery.
In a lengthy caption, Flanagan wrote: "[I] decided to finally get tested for serval different things and tested positive for [L]yme disease and several other co-infections. It’s a blessing and a curse because now i can target why i feel off so often but also means several different lifestyle changes and extensive research on how to help/hopefully cure this!"
She said her siblings also wrestled with the disease, noting her journey will be "tough for me seeing what my brothers have gone through mentally and physically."
MORE: Kelley Flanagan breaks her silence on what led to split with 'Bachelor' star Peter Weber"I'm going to put so much of my time and energy into figuring this out and combatting this," Flanagan closed, promising to keep fans in the loop on her "new journey."
Bachelor Nation rallied around Flanagan, with Kaitlyn Bristowe, Ashley Iaconetti, Victoria Fuller, Raven Gates, Kristian Haggerty and several others sending well wishes and encouraging words.
