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  1. Valley fever - Overview

    Verified Expert
    Also known as: coccidioidomycosis, california fever
    A fungal infection caused due to fungus coccidioides that gets into body through inhalation.
    How common is condition?
    Rare (Fewer than 200,000 cases per year in US)
    Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
    Rarely requires lab test or imaging
    Time taken for recovery
    Can last several days or weeks
    See more

    Causes

    Verified Expert

    • Breathing in of the causative fungus is the sole reason for occurrence of valley fever.
    • The risk factors include:
    • Ageing
    • Environmental exposure - People living in areas where the fungi are common are at high risk.
    • Pregnancy
    • Weakened immune system
    • Diabetes

    See more

    Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Contact your provider if experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms.

    The symptoms include:

    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Chest pain
    • Cold
    • Rashes
    • Night sweats
    • Weakness and fatigue
    • Joint aches
    • Headache

    If condition gets severe, symptoms may increase to:

    • Low grade Fever
    • Weight loss
    • Blood tinged sputum
    • Nodules in lungs
    • Ulcers and skin lesions
    • Painful and swollen joints
    • Meningitis

    See more
    What fungus causes Valley fever?
    Coccidioides immitis, one of the two species of fungus that cause valley fever. (Smith Collection-Gado/Archive Photos via Getty Images) What are the symptoms, and what should people be looking for?
    sciencealert.com

    Treatment

    Verified Expert

    Patients with acute valley fever don't require treatment. The best treatment is bed rest and fluids. Only severe cases require medication.

    Medication

    Antifungals: To reduce fungal infection.

    Fluconazole . Itraconazole . Amphotericin B

    See more
    valley fever_en
    Microsoft Start Health

    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    A physical exam is not sufficient to diagnose valley fever because symptoms overlap with other diseases. Tests are recommended for definitive diagnosis.

    Common tests & procedures

    Sputum eosinophils: The discharge is checked for the presence of coccidioides organisms.

    Blood test: To check for antibodies against the fungus.

    See more
    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. | Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Overview
    Causes
    Symptoms
    What fungus causes Valley fever?
    Treatment
    Health guide
    Diagnosis
     
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  1. Valley fever

    • Overview Valley fever is a fungal infection caused by coccidioides (kok-sid-e-OY-deze) organisms. ...
    • When to see a doctor 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: ...
    • Prevention There is no vaccine to prevent valley fever. ...

    Valley fever - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

    www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/valley-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20378761
    www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/valley-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-203…
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  2. People also ask
    What causes Valley fever?
    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.

    Valley fever - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

    mayoclinic.org
    What is the worst symptom of valley fever?

    Dr. Howard E. LeWine

    M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of exp

    Valley fever refers to symptoms due to exposure to a fungus called Coccidiodes. The symptoms can include fever, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, night sweats and fatigue. Sometimes the fungus will cause severe disease, including a significant lung infection or invasion into other body tissues. These people require treatment with strong anti-fungal medicines.
    2 more answers
    bing.com
    What fungus causes Valley fever?
    Coccidioides immitis, one of the two species of fungus that cause valley fever. (Smith Collection-Gado/Archive Photos via Getty Images) What are the symptoms, and what should people be looking for?

    Valley Fever Expected to Spike Again This Fall. Here's Who's at Risk

    sciencealert.com
    How does Valley fever spread?
    In an even smaller percent of people (about 1%), the infection spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body. This could include the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), skin, or bones and joints. Valley fever is a lung infection. Symptoms may include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

    Symptoms of Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC | Centers for Disease

    cdc.gov
    What are the risk factors for Valley fever?
    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.

    Valley fever - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

    mayoclinic.org
    How does Valley fever affect the body?
    The disease may also affect other parts of the body, such as the skin, joints and brain. Valley fever can be fatal in people with weakened immune systems. The severe form of valley fever may develop a few weeks, months or sometimes years after the primary infection, and it may develop even after leaving the area where the fungi live.

    Valley Fever or San Joaquin Fever (Coccidiodomycosis)

    cedars-sinai.org
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  3. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/...

    Valley fever - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

     
  4. Cleveland Clinic
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/dis…

    Valley Fever: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

    Aug 1, 2024 · Valley fever is an infection caused by breathing in the fungus Coccidioides. It can cause mild or flu-like symptoms, or serious lung problems or spread to other parts of the body. Learn about the diagnosis, treatment and …

  5. WebMD
    https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/valley-fever

    Valley Fever: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment - WebMD

  6. CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever

    Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC - Centers for …

    Valley fever is a lung infection caused by a fungus in soil in some parts of the U.S. Learn about the symptoms, how to test for it, and how to prevent and treat it from the CDC.

  7. CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/about

    About Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC - Centers for …

    Valley fever is a lung infection caused by breathing in spores from the fungus Coccidioides, which lives in soil in some areas of the U.S. and Latin America. Learn about the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease, and how …

  8. What is valley fever and how does one contract it?

    Answered by verified global health professionals
    Dr. Himanshu J. VatsDoctor of Medicine (MBBS) · 1.5 years of exp

    People can get Valley fever by breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air, although most people who breathe in the spores don't get sick. Usually, people who get sick with Valley fever will get better on their own within weeks to months, but some people will need antifungal medication.

    See all questions on Valley Fever

    Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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  9. California Department of Public Health
    https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/...

    Valley Fever Basics - California Department of Public Health

  10. CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/signs …

    Symptoms of Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC

    Valley fever is a fungal lung infection caused by breathing in spores. Symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, and sometimes rash or skin infection. Learn more about the timing, severity, and treatment of Valley fever.

  11. California Department of Public Health
    https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/...

    Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) - California Department of …

  12. California Department of Public Health
    https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH...
    [PDF]

    Valley Faver Fact Sheet - California Department of Public …

  13. Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccidioid…

    Coccidioidomycosis - Wikipedia

    Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, is a fungal disease caused by inhaling spores from the soil in certain regions of the Americas. It can cause respiratory, skin, or disseminated infections, and may be acute, chronic, or …

  14. Cedars-Sinai
    https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/...

    Valley Fever or San Joaquin Fever (Coccidiodomycosis)

  15. Valley Fever Center for Excellence
    https://vfce.arizona.edu/valley-fever-people/faqs

    FAQs | Valley Fever Center for Excellence - University of Arizona

  16. CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/hcp/clinical-overview

    Clinical Overview of Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC

  17. ScienceAlert
    https://www.sciencealert.com/valley-fever-expected...

    Valley Fever Expected to Spike Again This Fall. Here's Who's at …

  18. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/valley...

    Valley fever, historically found only in the Southwest, is spreading ...

  19. Prevention
    https://www.prevention.com/.../valley-fever-symptoms

    Symptoms of Valley Fever, the Dangerous Disease ... - Prevention

  20. CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/prevention

    Reducing Risk for Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC

  21. Yahoo
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/valley-fever-cases-rise...

    Valley fever cases are on the rise in California. Here’s what

  22. CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/php/statistics

    Reported Cases of Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC

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