Risk Factors And Symptoms of Valley Fever
November 5, 2009
Valley fever also known as coccidioidomycosis or simply cocci infection is a type of fungal infection. It is caused by the Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii fungus. This fungus is usually found in the soil. If for some reason, its natural habitat in the soil is disrupted due to human activities, such as farming or construction work, or if a strong wind carries the loose upper soil containing the fungi, the fungi might enter our lungs through the air we breathe.
Not every person inhaling the spores of the fungus develops symptoms of valley fever. Symptoms of valley fever occur in about 40 percent of people infected with the fungi. Although, most valley fever symptoms are mild in nature, sometimes the disease might become fatal in people with weak immunity.
Valley fever risks
Anyone who has inhaled air containing the spores of the Coccidioides immitis fungus could develop valley fever. This fungus is usually found in the alkaline desert soils of San Joaquin Valley in California, southern Arizona, northern Mexico, Texas and in certain parts of Central and southern America. People living in these regions or visitors to these regions could develop valley fever. People with weak immune system have greater risk of suffering from valley fever. It has been observed that people of Asian and African origin and Hispanics are most vulnerable to valley fever. Diabetic patients could develop severe form of valley fever. Elderly people might develop serious complications from valley fever infection. Pregnant women are susceptible to valley fever, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy and after delivery.
Symptoms of valley fever
The symptoms of valley fever usually appear one to three weeks after inhaling the spores of the Coccidioides immitis fungus. The symptoms of the illness vary from person to person. Some valley fever patients might exhibit mild symptoms, while others might experience severe symptoms of the disease. The common symptoms of valley fever include fever, cough, chest pain, fatigue, headache, difficulty in breathing, joint pain, and night sweat. Sometimes rash may appear on the lower legs, back, arms and chest.
Sometimes after 20 or more years after exposure to the valley fever fungus, individuals could develop chronic coccidioidomycosis infection.
Remedies
Usually bed rest and adequate intake of fluids along with antifungal medication could help to cure the disease.
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