overview
Valley fever is a fungal infection caused by coccidioid organisms (kok-sid-e-OY-deze). It can cause signs and symptoms such as fever, cough, and fatigue.
- Two types of coccidioid fungus cause valley fever. These mushrooms are usually found in the soil of certain regions. Fungal spores can be stirred into the air by anything that disturbs the soil, such as agriculture, construction, and wind.
- People can then inhale the mushrooms in their lungs. The fungi can cause valley fever, also known as acute coccidioidomycosis (kok-sid-e-oy-doh-my-KOH-sis). Mild cases of valley fever usually go away on their own. In more severe cases, doctors treat the infection with antifungal drugs.Valley fever Treatment Khammam
Symptom
Valley fever is the original form of coccidioidomycosis infection. This initial acute illness can lead to more serious illness, including chronic and disseminated coccidioidomycosis.Valley fever Treatment Khammam
- Acute coccidioidomycosis (valley fever)
- The initial or acute form of coccidioidomycosis is often mild with few or no symptoms. Signs and symptoms appear one to three weeks after exposure. They tend to be similar to symptoms of the flu.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, including:
- fever
- to cough
- Tired
- shortness of breath
- a headache
- chills
- Night sweats
- Joint and muscle pain
- Red, blotchy rash, mostly on the lower legs, but sometimes also on the chest, arms and back
The reasons
Valley fever is caused by a person who inhales the spores of certain mushrooms. 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 is named after the San Joaquin Valley in California. Mushrooms are also found in northern Mexico as well as in Central and South America.Valley fever Treatment Khammam
- Like many other mushrooms, coccidioid species have a complex life cycle. In the soil they grow as mold with long filaments that disintegrate into airborne spores when the soil is disturbed. A person can then inhale the spores.
- The spores are extremely small and can be blown away. Once in the lungs, the spores multiply and continue the cycle of disease.
Risk factors
Risk factors for valley fever are:
Environmental exposure. Anyone who inhales the spores that cause valley fever is at risk of infection. People who live in areas where fungi are common – especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors – are at higher risk.
- Additionally, people who have jobs that expose them to dust are most at risk – construction, road and farm workers, ranchers, archaeologists and military personnel during exercises on the site.
- Run. For reasons that are not well understood, people of Filipino and African descent are more likely to develop severe fungal infections.
Pregnancy. Pregnant women are more prone to more serious infections in the third trimester. New mothers are at risk immediately after their baby is born.
Weakened immune system: People with a weakened immune system are at increased risk of serious complications. This includes people living with AIDS or being treated with steroids, chemotherapy, and anti-rejection drugs after a surgical transplant. People with certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease, who are treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs are also at increased risk of infection.
Diabetes. People with diabetes may be at greater risk of serious lung infections.Valley fever Treatment Khammam
Prevention
There is no vaccine against valley fever.
If you live in or visit areas where valley fever is common, take precautions, especially during the summer months when the risk of infection is greatest.
Keep these tips in mind:Valley fever Treatment Khammam
- Wear a mask.
- Avoid very dusty areas like construction sites.
- Stay indoors during dust storms.
- Moisten the soil before burying it or avoid the soil if you are at a higher risk of infection.
- Keep doors and windows tightly closed.
- Clean skin wounds with