What Causes Coccidioidomycosis Valley Fever?

Coccidioidomycosis (also known as San Joaquin Fever, or simply Valley Fever) is an infection caused by a dimorphic fungus called Coccidioides immitis.

Once the spores of this fungus (arthroconidia) are inhaled and get deposited in the lungs, they produce spherules, resulting in the onset of Coccidioidomycosis.

Who is Likely to Develop Coccidioidomycosis?

Vally Fever mostly occurs in the Western hemisphere. Coccidioides immitis fugus needs an arid climate and alkaline soil to thrive. Therefore, those who live in the Southern regions of Arizona, Central California, Southern New Mexico, and Texas in the United States of America are more likely to develop this fungal infection. This fungus is also found in other countries -especially those located in the warm/arid central and southern regions of the Western hemisphere. Valley Fever is not a contagious disease.

All mamals are susceptible to Coccidioides immitis fugus. Dogs traveling with their human companians to those arid/desert regions are as likely to develop Valley Fever as their human escorts.

How to Prevent Coccidioidomycosis / Valley Fever?

Currently there are no preventive medicines or vaccines available for this disease. Avoiding exposure to the dust and airborne soil particles in arid/desert regions, wearing a mask, and staying out of blowing dust in regions known to have a climat that promotes Coccidioides immitis fugus growth certainly reduces one's chances of developing this fungal infection.

Symptoms of Coccidioidomycosis Valley Fever:

Most cases of the milder form of this infectious disease remain asymptomatic. The symtoms that may be present as the disease progresses include: Cough, Night sweats, Fever, Rash, Chest pain, Muscle/Joint pain, Breathing difficulties, Conjunctivitis, and Loss of appetite.

Coccidioidomycosis Valley Fever Diagnosis:

If the patient has a history of exposure to Coccidioides immitis fungus -travel related or otherwise - and if the above symptoms are observed, Chest x-rays, and Blood & Sputum diagnostic tests may be necessary.

Coccidioidomycosis Valley Fever Treatment:

Treatment for valley fever largely depends upon the stage of this disease.

Acute Primary Coccidioidomycosis

No treatment is usually necessary for the milder form (Acute Primary Coccidioidomycosis) of this disease. It usually resolves on its own within one to three weeks without any treatment.

Progressive Coccidioidomycosis

In case of more severe form of this infectious disease, the following medications/treatment may be prescribed:

• Fluconazole (often administered orally),
• Amphotericin B (administered intravenously)
• Itraconazole, and
• In case of CNS (spinal/brain meningitis) involvement, intravenous fluconazole may be prescribed.

Coccidioidomycosis Valley Fever Prognosis:

Acute Primary Coccidioidomycosis -the milder form of this fungal infection - normally resolves on its own within one to three weeks. The more severe form (Progressive Coccidioidomycosis) of this disease, however, could turn fatal for immunosupressed/immunodeficient patients.

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