VALLEY FEVER (COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS)

The infection can be:

• Acute coccidioidomycosis (valley fever)- The initial, or acute, form of coccidioidomycosis. It is often mild, and sometimes shows no symptoms. When signs and symptoms do occur, they appear one to three weeks after exposure.

Symptoms: fever, cough, chest pain, chills, night sweats, headache, fatigue, joint aches and red, spotty rash

• Chronic coccidioidomycosis- A chronic form of pneumonia. This complication is most common in people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms: low-grade fever, weight loss, cough, chest pain, blood-tinged sputum (matter discharged during coughing), nodules in the lungs

• Disseminated coccidioidomycosis- The most serious form of the disease. It occurs when the infection spreads (disseminates) beyond the lungs to other parts of the body. Most often these parts include the skin, bones, liver, brain, heart, and the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

The signs and symptoms of disseminated disease depend on which parts of your body are affected and may include:

• Nodules, ulcers and skin lesions that are more serious than the rash that sometimes occurs with other forms of the disease
• Painful lesions in the skull, spine or other bones
• Painful, swollen joints, especially in the knees or ankles
• Meningitis — an infection of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord

DIAGNOSIS

To definitively diagnose a valley fever, several tests are needed to find evidence of coccidioides presence in your body. Some of the tests may include:

• Blood tests.Through a blood test, your doctor can check for antibodies against the fungus that causes valley fever.
• Sputum smear or culture.These tests check a sample of the matter that’s discharged while coughing (sputum) for the presence of coccidioides organisms.

TREATMENT

Symptoms mostly go away on its own. You should just rest. The best therapy for otherwise healthy adults is often bed rest and fluids.

Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication such as Fluconazole if symptoms don’t improve or become worse or if you are at increased risk of complications. Antifungal medications are also used for people with chronic or disseminated disease.