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Valley Fever
Summary
Valley Fever is a disease caused by a fungus (or mold) called Coccidioides. The fungi live in the soil of dry areas like the southwestern U.S. You get it from inhaling the spores of the fungus. The infection cannot spread from person to person.
Anyone can get Valley Fever. But it’s most common among older adults, especially those 60 and older. People who have recently moved to an area where it occurs are at highest risk for infection. Other people at higher risk include:
- Workers in jobs that expose them to soil dust. These include construction workers, agricultural workers, and military forces doing field training.
- African Americans and Asians
- Women in their third trimester of pregnancy
- People with weak immune systems
Valley Fever is often mild, with no symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include a flu-like illness, with fever, cough, headache, rash, and muscle aches. Most people get better within several weeks or months. A small number of people may develop a chronic lung or widespread infection.
Valley Fever is diagnosed by testing your blood, other body fluids, or tissues. Many people with the acute infection get better without treatment. In some cases, doctors may prescribe antifungal drugs for acute infections. Severe infections require antifungal drugs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Find an Expert
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Encyclopedia
- Chest x-ray Medical Encyclopedia
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Coccidioidomycosis National Institutes of Health
Patient Handouts
- Coccidioides complement fixation Medical Encyclopedia
- Coccidioides precipitin Medical Encyclopedia
- Coccidioidomycosis Medical Encyclopedia
- CSF coccidioides complement fixation Medical Encyclopedia
Diagnosis and Tests
- Fungal Culture Test National Library of Medicine
- Tests for Lung Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Journal Articles
Symptoms
- Symptoms of Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Treatments and Therapies
- Treatment for Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Start Here
- Valley Fever Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) Risk and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Statistics and Research
- Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) Statistics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention