According to CDC surveillance statistics, only 45 cases of Lyme disease have been reported in Arizona in the past 10 years. These statistics may be misleading. Reported cases reflect the "tip of the iceberg," or only a fraction of the true cases. Doctors recognize and report only one case per 1000.
Arizona is a magnet for retirees from the northeast and other areas where Lyme is highly endemic. These people may be infected in their home state and develop symptoms as they age and their immune systems become weaker.
There are over 25 species of ticks in Arizona that may carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Tularemia, Babesia and tick fever, as well as Lyme disease. If the tick that bites you is infected, it can inject Lyme bacteria into your bloodstream within hours of attachment. If you don't notice the tick, infection will occur in almost 100%. The bacteria invade your brain in less than 24 hours.
Lyme disease is under-diagnosed, under-treated, and under-reported. Many people do not remember being bitten by the poppy-seed-sized tick. Doctors often prefer more familiar diagnoses like chronic fatigue, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, or mental illness - all Lyme disease mimics. Too strict interpretation of insensitive tests leaves many people in a diagnostic limbo, getting sicker and without proper treatment. Most cases are not reported, leading to artificially low numbers, less recognition of the true costs of the disease and less funding for research.
DISCLAIMER: All information posted on this site is provided for educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical advice regarding the treatment of any symptoms or disease. You should obtain medical advice of your personal physician before pursuing any treatment mentioned here.
