Valley fever is also known as coccidioidomycosis, a fungal infection affecting the lungs. It is caused by inhaling spores of the fungus Coccidioides, which lives in the soil in certain regions of the world, such as the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America.
The only way to contract coccidioidomycosis is to breathe in the spores from the air. It is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person or from animal to human. The soil can be disturbed by activities like digging, construction, farming, or natural events such as dust storms and earthquakes.
People who live or visit areas where the fungus is endemic are at risk of getting infected, especially if they have a weakened immune system or other health conditions that make them more susceptible to infections. Some people may have a higher risk of developing severe or disseminated disease, which means the infection spreads to other organs or tissues.
People of African-American or Filipino ancestry
People with blood group B
Pregnant women
People with diabetes mellitus
People with HIV or AIDS
People who take medications that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids, chemotherapy, or biologic drugs
In most cases, people exposed to the fungus do not develop any symptoms or develop only mild flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, and rash.
However, some people may develop more serious or chronic forms of the disease, which can cause complications such as:
Pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lungs that can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood
Pulmonary nodules, which are small lumps of scar tissue in the lungs that can be mistaken for cancer
Pulmonary cavities, which are holes in the lungs that can cause bleeding, infection, or collapse of the lung
Chronic progressive fibrocavitary coccidioidomycosis, which is a rare condition that causes progressive destruction of the lung tissue and respiratory failure
It occurs when the infection spreads to other parts of the body, such as the skin, bones, joints, brain, spinal cord, or other organs, which is a life-threatening condition called disseminated coccidioidomycosis. A number of symptoms can occur, including ulcers, abscesses, bone pain, swelling, meningitis, seizures, and coma.
Coccidioidomycosis can be diagnosed by various tests, such as:
Sputum culture, which is a test that grows the fungus from a sample of mucus coughed up from the lungs
Blood tests, which can detect antibodies or antigens produced by the body in response to the infection
Biopsy, which is a procedure that removes a small piece of tissue from the affected area and examines it under a microscope for the presence of the fungus
Imaging tests, such as chest x-ray, CT scan, MRI, or bone scan, which can show the extent and location of the infection in the lungs or other organs
Mild cases may not require any specific treatment, except symptomatic relief and close observation, depending on the severity and type of the infection. The antifungal medications fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole can kill or stop the growth of the fungus in severe or chronic cases. Depending on the patient's response and tolerance, these medications are usually taken orally for several months or years. In some cases, patients may require intravenous amphotericin B, which is a more potent, but more toxic antifungal drug. Surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue or repair damaged organs.
There is no vaccine or prophylactic medication available to prevent coccidioidomycosis. The best way to avoid getting infected is to avoid exposure to the fungus, especially in areas where it is endemic. Some preventive measures include:
Wearing a mask or respirator when working or traveling in dusty areas
Avoiding outdoor activities during windy or dry weather
Wetting the soil before digging or disturbing it
Keeping doors and windows closed or using air filters or air conditioners
Avoiding contact with rodents or other animals that may carry the fungus
Seeking medical attention promptly if symptoms develop after exposure to the fungus
Any person who breathes in the spores of the fungus Coccidioides is at risk for developing coccidioidomycosis, a potentially serious but treatable fungal infection. Getting infected or developing complications of the disease can be reduced if one is aware of the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
