Summary about Disease
Valley Fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis or *Coccidioides posadasii*. These fungi live in the soil in certain areas, particularly in the southwestern United States, parts of Mexico, and Central and South America. People can get Valley Fever by breathing in fungal spores from the air. Most people who are exposed to the fungus never develop symptoms, but some will get sick. The illness can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia. In rare cases, the infection can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the skin, bones, brain, or other organs.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Valley Fever can vary widely. Some people have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
Fatigue
Cough
Fever
Shortness of breath
Headache
Night sweats
Muscle aches or joint pain
Rash (sometimes)
Chest pain
Causes
Valley Fever is caused by inhaling Coccidioides fungal spores from the air. These spores are disturbed when soil is disrupted by activities such as:
Construction
Farming
Wind
Earthquakes The fungus lives in the soil, and the spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed.
Medicine Used
Antifungal medications are used to treat Valley Fever. The specific medication and duration of treatment depend on the severity of the infection and whether it has spread beyond the lungs. Common antifungal medications used include:
Fluconazole
Itraconazole
Voriconazole
Amphotericin B (used for severe cases)
Is Communicable
Valley Fever is not communicable from person to person or from animals to people. The infection is acquired by inhaling fungal spores from the environment.
Precautions
It's difficult to completely avoid exposure in areas where the fungus is prevalent. However, certain precautions can reduce the risk:
Avoid activities that disturb the soil, especially during windy conditions.
Stay indoors during dust storms.
Use air filtration systems indoors.
Wet down the soil before digging or disturbing it.
Consider wearing a mask (N95 respirator) when doing outdoor activities that create dust.
How long does an outbreak last?
There aren't typically "outbreaks" in the traditional sense (person-to-person spread). Exposure is based on environmental conditions. Increased cases can occur after periods of drought followed by heavy rainfall, which can lead to increased fungal growth and spore dispersal. The duration of increased cases depends on these environmental factors. An individual infection can last weeks, months, or even years depending on the severity and treatment.
How is it diagnosed?
Valley Fever is diagnosed through a combination of:
Medical History and Physical Exam: Assessing symptoms and potential exposure history.
Blood Tests: To detect antibodies against the Coccidioides fungus. Common tests include:
IgM and IgG antibody tests
Complement fixation test
Imaging Tests: Chest X-rays or CT scans to look for lung abnormalities.
Sputum Culture: To identify the fungus in respiratory secretions (less common).
Biopsy: In rare cases, a biopsy of affected tissue may be needed.
Timeline of Symptoms
The incubation period (time between exposure and onset of symptoms) is typically 1 to 3 weeks. The timeline of symptoms can vary:
Initial Phase (1-3 weeks after exposure): Some people are asymptomatic. Others may develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, and headache.
Acute Phase (weeks to months): Symptoms may persist or worsen. Chest pain, shortness of breath, night sweats, and rash can occur.
Chronic Phase (months to years): In a small percentage of cases, the infection can become chronic, with persistent lung problems or spread to other parts of the body.
Important Considerations
People with weakened immune systems (e.g., those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, or those taking immunosuppressant medications) are at higher risk of developing severe Valley Fever.
Pregnant women are also at higher risk of complications.
Certain ethnic groups (e.g., African Americans, Filipinos) may be at increased risk of disseminated disease.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent complications.
If you live in or have traveled to an area where Valley Fever is common and develop symptoms, see a doctor for evaluation.