How long does Valley fever last?
The symptoms of Valley fever usually last for a few weeks to a few months. However, some patients have symptoms that last longer than this, especially if the infection becomes severe. Approximately 5 to 10% of people who get Valley fever will develop serious or long-term problems in their lungs.
Where is Valley fever most common?
While rare at a national level, Valley fever is common in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Every year, 150,000 people in the U.S. are infected, and Arizona is home to two-thirds of them.
Can the desert make you sick?
Valley fever is not contagious. Only about half those who inhale the fungus will even get sick. Sickness can range from flu-like symptoms, to severe pneumonia, to death. The disease is not new to residents in the desert areas of Arizona and California, particularly those who work outside and are exposed to desert dust.
What happens if Valley fever is not treated?
If symptoms don’t improve on their own or you don’t get treatment, valley fever may eventually develop into a long-term type of pneumonia. This mainly happens in people whose immune systems are weak. The symptoms include milk fever, unexplained weight loss, chest pains, and coughing up mucus with blood in it.
How does someone get Valley Fever?
People can get Valley fever by breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air, although most people who breathe in the spores don’t get sick. Usually, people who get sick with Valley fever will get better on their own within weeks to months, but some people will need antifungal medication.
Is Valley Fever viral or bacterial?
Valley fever is a fungal infection caused by coccidioides (kok-sid-e-OY-deze) organisms. It can cause signs and symptoms such as a fever, cough and tiredness. Two coccidioides fungi species cause valley fever. These fungi are commonly found in soil in specific regions.
Is there immunity to valley fever?
If you live or vacation in the desert regions where the fungus resides, you are very likely to get valley fever. However, once you have had valley fever, unless your immune system changes drastically, you will have developed a lifelong immunity to the fungus.
What happens if Valley fever goes untreated?
Some may develop a rash. It’s easy to dismiss these symptoms, even if they linger for weeks or months. For many, the symptoms will disappear on their own. But for some, untreated Valley Fever can lead to chronic fatigue, severe weight loss, pneumonia, meningitis or even death.
Does Ike Davis have desert fever?
Davis is not the picture of health. He has, in fact, contracted Valley or Desert Fever, a malady that can interfere with a season and even end a career.
What is the definition of fever, desert?
Fever, desert: A disease also called coccidioidomycosis due to a fungus called Coccidioides immitis. About 40% of people infected with this fungus develop symptoms. Most often they have an influenza-like illness with fever, cough, headaches, rash, and myalgias (muscle pains).
What is desert fever in Arizona?
Valley Fever, or Coccidioidomycosis, is an ailment in the lungs that is common throughout the lower Arizona deserts. It is caused by a fungus which grows in the dirt of the desert floor and become airborne when the soil is disturbed by dust storms, construction, farming and other activities.