What is Valley Fever?
Valley Fever (medical name coccidioidomycosis or “cocci” for short) is an infection in the lungs caused by a fungus (scientific name Coccidioides immitis) that grows in the soil in the southern and central portions of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and the southern portions of Nevada and Utah. Valley Fever is also found in parts of Mexico, Central and South America. These areas where the fungus grows in the soil are called endemic.
Valley fever is another name for the sometimes deadly infection coccidioidomycosis. It is called valley fever because the organism that causes it is commonly found in the soil of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. Valley fever usually affects the lungs. When it affects other parts of the body, it is called disseminated valley fever. What is the infectious agent that causes valley fever? Valley fever is caused by Coccidioides immitis, a fungus. The fungus produces spores that can be inhaled when they get into the air. Spores are hardy forms of the fungus that can live for a long time in harsh environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and drought. Where is valley fever found? The valley fever fungus grows naturally in soil in the southwestern United States and in parts of Central and South America. How do people get valley fever? Valley fever is spread through the air. If soil containing the valley fever fungus is disturbed by construction,
Valley fever, also known as San Joaquin Valley fever or coccidioidomycosis, is an infection by the fungus Coccidioides immitus. As the name “valley fever” implies, the fungus is found only in certain regions. In the United States, it is found in the desert Southwest, including California’s San Joaquin valley. It also grows in parts of Central and South America. The fungus lives in the soil and releases its spores into the air. Outbreaks occur during weather changes, dust storms and earthquakes, all of which increase the amount of spores dispersed into the air. People become infected by inhaling the spores. About 60 percent of people infected in this way have no symptoms at all. The other 40 percent may have chest pain, weakness, fever, chills, night sweats, joint aches and a cough that may produce phlegm. Some people also have a skin rash and enlarged lymph nodes. In the vast majority, the illness goes away by itself within a few weeks without any further problem. In about 5 percent of
Valley Fever is a disease caused by a fungus, Coccidioides immitis, which exists as a mold found in the soil. Working the soil (ie: construction, gardening) will increase the chances of coming in contact with the fungus. Also, dogs that dig are more prone because they are breathing in all the dirt as they dig.
Valley Fever is the common name for the parasitic fungal disease coccidioidomycosis. Updated statistics show that Valley Fever causes symptoms in over half of the people who are infected (Cole GT, Xue JM, Okeke CN, Tarcha EJ, Basrur V, Schaller RA, Herr RA, Yu JJ, Hung CY. A vaccine against coccidioidomycosis is justified and attainable. Med Mycol. 2004 Jun;42(3):189-216). While a few will not feel sick, most will have symptoms including fever, rashes, headaches, severe abscesses and lesions in nearly any part of the body. Valley Fever can even kill its victims through pneumonia and meningitis in its worst cases. Please see our Symptoms Page.
