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Valley Fever
Valley Fever has become more common in desert and very dry climates and it is hard to diagnose. It can be found in the southwest USA, Mexico, Central America and South America. Valley fever also can infect dogs.It is caused by wind blown fungal spores.
67 Questions
What would happen to people if they had valley fever?
People who had Valley fever would have flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, fever,rash,headache and joint pain.
Humans usually get RVF through bites from infected mosquitoes. Humans can also get the disease if they are exposed to the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals. Infection through aerosol transmission of RVF virus has occurred in the laboratory environment.
This a viral disease compared to valley fever in the South West US which is an inhaled fungal disease.
Can you get Valley Fever again?
Yes, technically Valley Fever will never come out to be at 0. You need to take care of your body to resist getting it again.
How many people lost their lives from valley fever?
In the pass 100+ years, thousands.
In California from 2000 to 2007, there were 16,970 reported cases and 752 deaths
Is there a cure for Rift Valley fever?
There is no established course of treatment for patients infected with RVF virus. However, studies in monkeys and other animals have shown promise for ribavirin, an antiviral drug, for future use in humans. Additional studies suggest that interferon, immune modulators, and convalescent-phase plasma may also help in the treatment of patients with RVF.
RVF is not the same as valley fever which is seen in the southwest US.
Skin lesion of coccidioidomycosis?
Skin lesions of coccidioidomycosis are a symptom of infection with the Coccidioides immitis fungus.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCoccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection most commonly seen in the desert regions of the southwestern United States, and in Central and South America. You get it by breathing in fungal particles from soil. The infection starts in the lungs.
About half of infected people have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Immunosuppressedindividuals, such as people with AIDS, cancer, or who've had a transplant, are at higher risk of severe, widespread (disseminated) disease.
Skin rash can occur in the early stages of coccidioidomycosis (during primary lung infection). These include erythema nodosum or erythema multiforme. These rashes usually go away without treatment. They are thought to be caused by an immune response to the infection, rather than by the fungus itself.
After the lungs are infected, the fungus itself may spread to other tissues including the skin, and lead to various skin lesions including papules, nodules, and ulcers. These lesions contain fungus within them and are a sign of widespread (disseminated) fungal disease.
Symptoms- Skin lesion of the initial (primary) infection
- Erythema multiforme (target lesions)
- Erythema nodosum
- Papular rash
- Skin lesion of widespread (disseminated) disease: papule, pustule, nodule, or plaque
- May form abscesses
- May ulcerate
- Most often on the face
The diagnosis depends on the stage of infection (primary or disseminated). If disseminated disease is suspected, the doctor may do a skin biopsy to look for the fungus in a skin lesion.
TreatmentThis infection is treated with antifungal medications. Oral or intravenous (directly into a vein) drugs will be used, depending on the form and stage of the disease. Antifungal agents used include amphotericin B, itraconazole, ketoconazole, or fluconazole. People with disseminated disease and a suppressed immune system may need long-term treatment.
Expectations (prognosis)What happens depends on the stage and extent of the infection, as well as the person's immune system. The highest mortality rate is seen in immunosuppressed people with disseminated disease.
Complications- Additional skin infections caused by bacteria
- Complications related to medications (such as severe side effects)
- Skin abscess
There are many types of skin lesions, and they can be hard to tell apart. Notify your medical provider if you develop skin lesions and suspect this condition, because you will need to be tested.
ReferencesGalgiani JN, Ampel N, Blair JE, et al. Coccidioidomycosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2005;41:1217-1223.
Galgiani JN. Coccidioidomycosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 354.
The fungi that cause valley fever - Coccidioides immitisor Coccidioides posadasii - are found in southern Arizona, Nevada, northern Mexico and California's San Joaquin Valley. They're also found in New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Central and South America.
How many people get rift valley fever each year?
This a viral disease compared to valley fever in the South West US which is an inhaled fungal disease. About 100 people get this each year if the year has been unusually wet.
What is Biological classification of rift valley fever mosquito?
The virus is transmitted through mosquito vectors, as well as through contact with the tissue of infected animals.
Two species: Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Aedes vexans are known to transmit the virus.
Is valley fever contagious through people?
Contagious means that a disease can be passed from one person to another, like a cold. This is not. A person gets this by inhaling fungus spores.
Dogs that are most commonly infected with canine valley fever are puppies, older dogs and dogs with compromised immune systems. The immune system does have the capability to fight off this infection before symptoms can even be realized, but it requires an exceptionally strong immune system to do so. They get by breathing in the spores just as in humans.
The disease 'Valley Fever' is a severe and sometimes fatal infection, usually of the lung, but has also been found in other parts of the body. The first reported case in the United States (and possibly the first thoroughly reported case in the world) was in the 1890's. Although relatively rare, there have been serious outbreaks from time to time.
KEY DATES IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE FUNGUS WHICH CAUSES VALLEY FEVER:
- The suspected cause of Valley Fever first became apparent in the years prior to the issue of a doctor's official report on the matter in 1892.
- The presence of such an organism was confirmed by research and experiments, and reported in 1896.
- In 1900 the offending organism was identified as being fungal in nature.
Since the 1890's Valley Fever has been the subject of major scientific investigations, including detailed genetic research from the 1990's onwards. These more recent studies have revealed that there are actually two species of fungus which cause Valley Fever, Coccidioides immiti and Coccidioides posadasii.
In view of the ongoing nature and continual review of scientific/medical research it is difficult to pinpoint a particular date when the identity of one or other of these two organisms was first determined.
For more information see Sources and Related linksbelow.
If your dog has the Valley fever and you want to try go over-the-counter medication asked the pharmacist if a cough medicine for humans would hurt your dog. Try that until you can afford to see the vet.
At first only the lungs are affected. If not treated it can spread. Having Hep C and asthma will not make the likelihood of getting Valley fever more so. But Asthma can become worse. Hep C will only make a person feel worse. More and more cases are showing up in the dry SW.
Valley fever is a fungal infection caused by coccidioides fungi. It can cause fever, chest pain and coughing, among other signs and symptoms.
Two species of coccidioides fungi cause valley fever and are commonly found in the soil and can be stirred into the air by farming, construction and wind. The fungi can then be breathed into the lungs and cause valley fever, also known as acute coccidioidomycosis.
Mild cases of valley fever usually resolve on their own.
In more severe cases, doctors prescribe antifungal medications.
Valley fever is the initial form and can develop into chronic and disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
Mild cases of valley fever usually resolve on their own. In more severe cases, doctors prescribe antifungal medications. The most serious is disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
This is most serious and occurs when the infection spreads (disseminates) beyond the lungs Most often to the skin, bones, liver, brain, heart, and the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord (meninges).
3% to 5% of infected individuals do not recover from the initial acute infection and develop a chronic infection that leads to death.
What are some natural herbs you can use or take for valley fever?
Milder cases of Valley fever usually go away on their own.
Many people choose to treat the flu like symptom with the usual herbal remedies for colds and flu.
I recommend you speak to a doctor and be tested if you think you have Valley fever as not all cases are mild, and there are sometimes complications that arise later in life.
See the related links below for more information on coccidioidomycosis (aka Valley fever) and for general information on herbal treatments for colds and flu symptoms.
What are the characteristics of San Joaquin Valley Fever?
Acute coccidioidomycosis (valley fever)
The initial form mild, with few symptoms. Later, one to three weeks after exposure, flu like systems appear.
- Fever
- Cough
- Chest pain, at time very severe
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Joint aches
- Red, spotty rash
How does Ketoconazole Oral tablet work to kill valley fever?
All of the group of "azoles" (end in -azole) work on fungi. Since Valley Fever is caused by a fungus, this will work. This group of drugs work on fungi infections of the skin and yeast infections.
What is valley fever - you live in Ohio and got it and lung lesions and thrush?
Not likely, unless you were in New Mexico or the south west.
Acute coccidioidomycosis (valley fever)
The initial form mild, with few symptoms. Later, one to three weeks after exposure, flu like systems appear.
Fever
Cough
Chest pain, at time very severe
Chills
Night sweats
Joint aches
Red, spotty rash
You need to be tested for antibodies.
Is Coachella Valley fever caused by spores?
What you are referring to is "Valley Fever" or "San Jauquin Vally Fever", or the technical name - Coccidioidomycosis. It is a fungal disease that is caused by breathing the airborne spores. It is endemic to the southwestern U.S., especially AZ. Most people get very mild symptoms - flu-like - which go away in a few days. A few get infections of the lung, joints, or other organs. At risk groups include Asians, African-Americans, and older people. It's most dangerous for people with surpressed immune systems. There is no cure pe se, but an anti-fungal drug is given when it gets serious. How do I know this?....I've had it for 8 months and it's NASTY, especially the drug regime.
Does the drug weed show up on valley fever blood tests?
There seems to be no information about it. If cannabis can be detected in blood samples, it may be seen. BUT these tests are usually specific in that they are testing for one thing not everything.
Why is valley fever deadly more to Americans than any others?
For reasons that aren't well understood, Filipinos, Hispanics, blacks, Native Americans and Asians are more susceptible.
How does severe valley fever affect a diabetic?
Diabetes will make it harder to over come the Valley Fever. When two or more diseases are in the same person, it can make things more difficult to recover.
Valley fever is a fungal infection caused by coccidioidesfungi. It can cause fever, chest pain and coughing, among other signs and symptoms. It is common in the south western US.
Who are some famous people with valley fever?
In a recent showing of "Bones" the cast was exposed to valley fever. They were preparing to look at a skeleton 40-50 years old from a place in the desert. They had to be quarantined.
