COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS

(Valley Fever; San Joaquin Valley Fever)

 Basic information

description

Coccidioidomycosis is a lung infection caused by a fungus (plural is fungi) that lives in soil. The infection is usually so mild that it produces no symptoms. It can affect all age groups.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• People may think they have a mild case of flu. In a few cases the symptoms may include:
  • Cough.
  • Fatigue.
  • Sore throat.
  • Chills and fever.
  • Chest pain.
  • Headache.
  • Muscle and joint aches.
  • Skin rash.
  • General ill feeling.
  • Sweating at night.
  • Weight loss.
  • Stiff neck (sometimes).

causes

Infection by the fungus, Coccidioides immitis, which thrives in soil, especially soil that lines rodent burrows. A person becomes infected when they breathe the dust from such soil and the fungi lodge in the lungs. Symptoms may occur 1 to 4 weeks after exposure. It cannot be spread from person to person.

risk increases with

• Geographic location. The fungus is most common in the southwestern United States: California (e.g., San Joaquin Valley), Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and southwest Texas. It is also found in areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
• Work or environmental exposure to dust, such as farmers, construction workers, landscaping work, an archeology site, dirt biking, and others.
• Risk increases on windy days when the soil is dry and when the soil is disturbed, as with excavation. Outbreaks occur following dust storms or earthquakes. Cases increase during and after rainy seasons.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Cannot be prevented at present.

expected outcomes

Most infected persons recover on their own in 3 to 6 weeks. Patients may continue to feel ill for 3 to 6 weeks after signs of infection disappear. After recovery, most people will have a life-long immunity to the infection.

possible complications

• Spread of infection to other parts of the body, which can cause serious complications and could be fatal.
• Pneumonia.
• The disorder may become chronic.
• Risk factors for complications: weak immune system, pregnancy, African Americans or Filipinos, chronic medical disorders, and corticosteroid therapy.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider may do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and activities. Medical tests may include blood studies, sputum cultures, chest x-ray, and others.
• Treatment usually involves care at home. Get extra rest if needed. Hospital care is required only for severe cases. Very rarely is surgery needed.
• Your health care provider will usually schedule follow-up visits to verify that your recovery is progressing as expected.
• To learn more: Valley Fever Center for Excellence; 1656 E Mabel St., P.O. Box 245215, Tucson, AZ 85724; (520) 629-4777 (not toll free); website: www.vfce.arizona.edu.

medications

• You may use nonprescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain, and antitussives for cough if needed.
• Antifungal drugs will usually be prescribed for severe infections. They may also be prescribed in some mild infections as determined by your health care provider.

activity

Stay as active as your strength allows.

diet

No special diet.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has coccidioidomycosis symptoms.
• Continued weightloss, fever, diarrhea that cannot be controlled, or stiff neck with headache develop.

Special Notes: