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How is Valley fever diagnosed?
How do you know if you have Valley fever?
What is Valley fever?
Mar 21, 2023 · To diagnose valley fever, doctors may order one or more of the following tests: Sputum smear or culture. These tests check a sample of the matter that's discharged while coughing (sputum) for the presence of coccidioides organisms. Blood tests. Through a blood test, your doctor can check for antibodies against the fungus that causes valley fever.
May 29, 2023 · Valley Fever Diagnosis. The main test for valley fever is for your doctor to take a sample of your blood. The results should come back in a few days.
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Acute coccidioidomycosis (valley fever)
The initial, or acute, form of coccidioidomycosis is often mild, with few or no symptoms. Signs and symptoms occur one to three weeks after exposure. They tend to be similar to flu symptoms. Symptoms can range from minor to severe, including:
Chronic coccidioidomycosis
If the initial coccidioidomycosis infection doesn't completely resolve, it may progress to a chronic form of pneumonia. This complication is most common in people with weakened immune systems. Signs and symptoms include:
Disseminated coccidioidomycosis
The most serious form of the disease, disseminated coccidioidomycosis, is uncommon. It occurs when the infection spreads (disseminates) beyond the lungs to other parts of the body. Most often these parts include the skin, bones, liver, brain, heart, and the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord (meninges). Signs and symptoms of disseminated disease depend on the body parts affected and may include:
Seek medical care if you are over 60, have a weakened immune system, are pregnant, or are of Filipino or African heritage, and you develop the signs and symptoms of valley fever, especially if you:
•Live in or have recently traveled to an area where this disease is common
•Have symptoms that aren't improving
Be sure to tell your doctor if you've traveled to a place where valley fever is common and you have symptoms.
Valley fever is caused by a person inhaling spores of certain fungi. The fungi that cause valley fever — Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii — live in the soil in parts of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, California, Texas and Washington. It's named after the San Joaquin Valley in California. The fungi can also often be found in northern Mexico and Central and South America.
Like many other fungi, coccidioides species have a complex life cycle. In the soil, they grow as a mold with long filaments that break off into airborne spores when the soil is disturbed. A person can then inhale the spores.
Risk factors for valley fever include:
•Environmental exposure. Anyone who inhales the spores that cause valley fever is at risk of infection. People who live in areas where the fungi are common — especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors — have a greater risk.
Also, people who have jobs that expose them to dust are most at risk — construction, road and agricultural workers, ranchers, archaeologists, and military personnel on field exercises.
•Race. For reasons that aren't well understood, people of Filipino and African heritage are more susceptible to developing serious fungal infections.
•Pregnancy. Pregnant women are vulnerable to more-serious infections when they get the infection during the third trimester. New mothers are vulnerable right after their babies are born.
•Weakened immune system. Anyone with a weakened immune system is at increased risk of serious complications. This includes people living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or those being treated with steroids, chemotherapy and anti-rejection drugs after transplant surgery. People with certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, who are being treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs also have an increased risk of infection.
Some people, especially pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems — such as those living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS — and those of Filipino or African heritage are at risk of developing a more severe form of coccidioidomycosis.
Complications of coccidioidomycosis may include:
•Severe pneumonia. Most people recover from coccidioidomycosis-related pneumonia without complications. Others, such as people of Filipino and African heritage, and those with weakened immune systems, may become seriously ill.
•Ruptured lung nodules. A small percentage of people develop thin-walled nodules (cavities) in their lungs. Many of these eventually disappear without causing any problems, but some may rupture, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. A ruptured lung nodule might require the placement of a tube into the space around the lungs to remove the air or surgery to repair the damage.
There is no vaccine to prevent valley fever.
If you live in or visit areas where valley fever is common, take common-sense precautions, especially during the dry season following a rainy season when the chance of infection is highest.
Consider these tips:
•Wear a mask.
•Avoid very dusty areas, such as construction sites.
•Stay inside during dust storms.
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How is Valley fever diagnosed? To diagnose Valley fever, your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms and travel history. They may order blood tests, imaging (chest X-ray or CT scan) or biopsies. What tests will be done to diagnose Valley fever?
Testing Algorithm for Coccidioidomycosis. Clinical algorithm to guide testing and treatment for Valley fever in patients with pneumonia. Facts and Stats about Valley fever (Coccidioidomycosis) Valley fever is a national notifiable disease. Most cases are reported in Arizona and California. More fungal diseases and related resources. Fungal Diseases
Serologic tests to detect IgM and IgG antibodies are the most common diagnostics. Infections are usually treated with fluconazole or amphotericin B. Etiology. Two species of Coccidioides cause infection: Coccidioides immitis (typically in California) and Coccidioides posadasii (typically outside of California).
Diagnosis of Valley Fever can involve culture or nucleic-acid-based detection from respiratory specimens, spherule detection in tissue samples by histopathology (HP), or by detection of specific antibodies in a patient’s serum or body fluid.
