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Valley fever (also called coccidioidomycosis or “cocci”) is an infectious disease caused by the Coccidioides fungus that lives in the soil and dirt in certain areas of California and the southwestern United States.
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•Symptoms
•When to see a doctor
•Causes
•Risk factors
•Complications
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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Apr 24, 2024 · Two species of Coccidioides cause infection: Coccidioides immitis (typically in California) and Coccidioides posadasii (typically outside of California). Clinical differences between the two species have not been observed.
Facts and Stats about Valley fever (Coccidioidomycosis) Valley fever is a national notifiable disease. Most cases are reported in Arizona and California.
Valley fever (also called coccidioidomycosis or “cocci”) is a disease caused by the Coccidioides fungus that grows in the soil and dirt in some areas of California and the southwestern United States.
May 29, 2023 · Valley fever in California. Valley fever cases have gone up in California from 2000 to 2018. Drought in California effects the number of new valley fever cases.
Apr 24, 2024 · Valley fever is a fungal lung infection and causes symptoms of pneumonia. Symptoms usually last for a few weeks to a few months. Rarely, Valley fever can cause severe lung infections or infections throughout the body.
