Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Valley Fever: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17754-valley-fever

  Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. Coccidioides grows in the soil in the southwestern U.S., parts of Washington state and Central and South America. […] Valley fever is the earliest stage of a Coccidioides infection. People with this condition often have no symptoms or flu-like symptoms, but it can sometimes progress to more serious stages of coccidioidomycosis. […] There are two forms of Coccidioides fungi that cause Valley fever: Coccidioides immitis (C. immitis) grows in the soil in California. Coccidioides posadasii (C. posadasii) grows in other parts of the U.S. and Central and South America. […] Disturbing the soil particularly during construction or dust storms breaks apart the fungus, which releases its reproductive parts (spores) into the air. You inhale the microscopic spores and they settle in your lungs where they can grow into larger clusters of more spores (spherules).

• #2 Coccidioidomycosis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448161/

  The dimorphic fungus Coccidioides causes coccidioidomycosis, also known as San Joaquin Valley fever, which is endemic to the arid regions of the Western Hemisphere. […] Coccidioides is a genus of dimorphic fungi that exist as mycelia or as spherules (1). Both mycelia and spherules are asexual forms. The sexual form of coccidiosis has not been found. […] Two species within the genus Coccidioides are recognized, namely, C. immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. C. immitis is found in California, while C. posadasii is found in other US states and other parts of the world. […] Arthroconidia, the infectious particles of Coccidioides species, are deposited in the lung when inhaled. […] This fungus likes arid deserts with high salt content. In soil, and agar, the Coccidioides grow as mycelia or filamentous form.

• #3 Coccidioidomycosis and Valley Fever: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/215978-overview

  Coccidioidomycosis is caused by Coccidioides immitis, a soil fungus native to the San Joaquin Valley of California, and by C posadasii, which is endemic to certain arid-to-semiarid areas of the southwestern United States, northern portions of Mexico, and scattered areas in Central America and South America. Although genetically distinct, the 2 species are morphologically identical. […] Coccidioidomycosis typically is transmitted by inhalation of airborne spores of C immitis or C posadasii (see Etiology). Infection occurs in endemic areas and is most commonly acquired in the summer or the late fall during outdoor activities. […] Coccidioidomycosis is caused by C immitis and C posadasii, 2 genetically distinct but morphologically identical species of a soil fungus endemic to certain arid-to-semiarid regions of the Western Hemisphere. The ecologic niche of Coccidioides is in the desert Southwest.

• #4 Coccidioidomycosis and Valley Fever: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/215978-overview

  C immitis is largely limited to the San Joaquin Valley. C posadasii is found in the other areas of Coccidioides endemicity. The manifestations of infection with either organism are assumed to be identical. […] Coccidioides is a dimorphic fungus, meaning that it assumes 2 different forms, yeast or mold, depending on the environment. In soil, Coccidioides grows as a mold (mycelium) with branching septate hyphae. […] Coccidioides arthroconidia are extremely infectious; a single C immitis arthroconidium may be sufficient to produce a respiratory infection. However, exposure to high spore burdens increases the likelihood of more severe disease in otherwise healthy persons. […] Rarely, direct inoculation of C immitis (eg, from contaminated penetrating objects) causes primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis with lymphatic extension to the regional lymph nodes; these cases resolve without treatment. […] The presence of spherules triggers an acute inflammatory reaction. Spherules react with complement and promote chemotaxis of neutrophils and eosinophils. […] The pathogenicity of the organism largely is related to the resistance of the spherule to eradication by host defenses.

• #5 Valley Fever: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

  https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/valley-fever-causes-symptoms-and-treatment?srsltid=AfmBOoow4-w06cHEtz0Wq9j2_2gj6glpTumrlre7SCVQ2kgv-1_K6kOr

  Valley Fever is a type of fungal infection that occurs when a person breathes in the spores released from a fungus known as coccidioides organisms. Valley fever usually occurs due to 2 fungi species which are commonly found in the soil of specific regions. The spores from the organism can be stirred and released into the air by anything that disrupts the soil, such as farming, construction and wind. […] Valley fever usually occurs when a person inhales spores of specific fungi, mainly Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. These fungi live in the hot desert sands and soil found in parts of Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, California, Arizona, Texas and Washington. […] In the soil, they grow as a mold with long filaments or branches (hyphae) that breaks apart and releases individual airborne spores (arthoconidia) when the soil is disturbed. These microscopic spores are then carried away by the wind and later when inhaled, it settles into the branching system of the lungs where they reproduce, continuing the disease cycle.

• #6 UA Expertise Shines in Valley Fever Research

  https://news.arizona.edu/resources-media/university-experts/ua-expertise-valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis

  Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis or cocci, is primarily a lung disease that is common in the Southwest United States and northwestern Mexico. […] Caused by the fungus Coccidioides, Valley Fever grows in soils in areas with low rainfall, high summer temperatures and moderate winter temperatures. […] The medical name for Valley fever is coccidioidomycosis (often shortened to „cocci” caused by the fungus Coccidioides spp. (C. immitis, C. posadasii). […] The disease usually affects the lungs and can cause pneumonia. […] It is not contagious. For most, symptoms if any are mild, including fatigue, fever, headaches, rash, night sweats, weight loss, joint or muscle aches. For some people, the disease may spread to the skin, joints, bone or, in the most severe cases, the brain.

• #7 Valley fever: Causes and treatments

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/189430

  Valley fever is caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis (C. immitis), or by Coccidioides posadasii (C. posadasii). […] Valley fever is caused by a fungus found primarily in certain parts of the United States and northwestern Mexico. […] Valley fever is caused by a fungus, either C. immitis or C. posadasii. […] The fungus grows as a mold in the soil. […] C. immitis and C. posadasii exist in alkaline desert soils, such as those found in northwestern Mexico, Californias San Joaquin Valley, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.

• #8 Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) | Washington State Department of Health

  https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis

  Valley Fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. […] People and animals can get Valley Fever by breathing in spores, generally from dust or disturbed soil, in areas where the fungus is found. […] Coccidioides lives in dust and soil in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. […] People can get Valley Fever by breathing in Coccidioides spores, generally from dust or disturbed soil, for example from activities or exposures such as construction, digging, dust storms, or earthquakes. […] Valley Fever does not generally spread from person to person or from animals to people, with rare exceptions due to organ transplantation or wound contact. […] Anyone who lives in or travels to areas where Coccidioides is present in the environment can get Valley Fever.

• #9 About Valley Fever | Valley Fever Center For Excellence

  https://vfce.arizona.edu/valley-fever-people/about-valley-fever

  Valley Fever is caused by the fungus Coccidioides spp. (C. immitis, C. posadasii) […] Valley Fever is contracted only by the inhalation of the coccidioides fungal spores. […] The fungus Coccidioides grows in soils in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures and moderate winter temperatures, such as the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. […] Infection occurs when a spore is inhaled.

• #10 What to know about Valley fever, a common lung infection in CA – CalMatters

  https://calmatters.org/health/2024/08/valley-fever/

  Valley fever is caused when people inhale microscopic spores of a fungus found in soil. This fungus typically affects the lungs. […] A fungus known as Coccidioides is responsible for Valley fever. Fungus spores can be rustled from the soil and into the air by activities such as farming and construction, but winds also stir them. […] Research has shown that cases of Valley fever tend to go up during dry seasons following a rainy period. They call this the grow-and-blow hypothesis, Hernandez said. As a fungus, it likes moisture, and when it’s dark and it’s moist, that’s when it grows. […] Some research has linked the increasing number of cases to the growing incidence of dust storms in the southwest. As the Earth warms, the region is becoming drier and that means more dust storms blowing fungal spores into the air.

• #11 Valley Fever: Pathogenesis and Evolving Treatment Options

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10774831/

  Coccidioidomycosis, therefore, is an emerging fungal infection with a growing incidence in certain endemic regions. […] Coccidioidomycosis is mostly benign and self-limiting but may also be progressive and spread throughout the body. […] The more progressive form of a Coccidioides infection is referred to as disseminated coccidioidomycosis or coccidioidal granuloma. […] Coccidioides resides within dust and soil, where the species undergoes autolysis, a process in which some fungal cells are transformed into barrel-shaped, loosely adherent endospores called arthroconidia. […] The length of the arthroconidia is only 2-5 microns, allowing them to reach the terminal bronchioles following inhalation. […] Once in the lungs’ alveoli, the human body temperature allows these spores to transform from a rectangular form into a more unique structure called spherules.

• #12 Coccidioidomycosis and Valley Fever: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/215978-overview

  C immitis is largely limited to the San Joaquin Valley. C posadasii is found in the other areas of Coccidioides endemicity. The manifestations of infection with either organism are assumed to be identical. […] Coccidioides is a dimorphic fungus, meaning that it assumes 2 different forms, yeast or mold, depending on the environment. In soil, Coccidioides grows as a mold (mycelium) with branching septate hyphae. […] Coccidioides arthroconidia are extremely infectious; a single C immitis arthroconidium may be sufficient to produce a respiratory infection. However, exposure to high spore burdens increases the likelihood of more severe disease in otherwise healthy persons. […] Rarely, direct inoculation of C immitis (eg, from contaminated penetrating objects) causes primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis with lymphatic extension to the regional lymph nodes; these cases resolve without treatment. […] The presence of spherules triggers an acute inflammatory reaction. Spherules react with complement and promote chemotaxis of neutrophils and eosinophils. […] The pathogenicity of the organism largely is related to the resistance of the spherule to eradication by host defenses.

• #13 Valley Fever: Pathogenesis and Evolving Treatment Options

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10774831/

  Coccidioidomycosis, therefore, is an emerging fungal infection with a growing incidence in certain endemic regions. […] Coccidioidomycosis is mostly benign and self-limiting but may also be progressive and spread throughout the body. […] The more progressive form of a Coccidioides infection is referred to as disseminated coccidioidomycosis or coccidioidal granuloma. […] Coccidioides resides within dust and soil, where the species undergoes autolysis, a process in which some fungal cells are transformed into barrel-shaped, loosely adherent endospores called arthroconidia. […] The length of the arthroconidia is only 2-5 microns, allowing them to reach the terminal bronchioles following inhalation. […] Once in the lungs’ alveoli, the human body temperature allows these spores to transform from a rectangular form into a more unique structure called spherules.

• #14 Coccidioidomycosis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448161/

  The spherules divide internally by developing internal septae, which divide the spherule into compartments. Each compartment has endospores. […] The mainstay of the defense against Coccidioides species is the T-lymphocytes, particularly the T-helper2 lymphocytes (Th2). […] The infection rate has declined dramatically since the advent of antiretroviral therapy. […] In addition to new infections in endemic areas, reactivations can occur in transplant patients when cell-mediated immunity decreases.

• #15 UA Expertise Shines in Valley Fever Research

  https://news.arizona.edu/resources-media/university-experts/ua-expertise-valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis

  In susceptible people, such as those who are immunocompromised, and animals, infection occurs when a spore is inhaled. Within the lung, the spore changes into a larger, multicellular structure called a spherule. The spherule grows and bursts, releasing endospores, which, in turn, develop into spherules. Symptoms of Valley fever generally occur within three weeks of exposure.

• #16 Valley fever | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/valley-fever?content_id=CON-20378744

  Valley fever is a fungal infection caused by coccidioides (kok-sid-e-OY-deze) organisms. […] Two coccidioides fungi species cause valley fever. […] Valley fever is caused by a person inhaling spores of certain fungi. The fungi that cause valley fever Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii live in the soil in parts of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, California, Texas and Washington. […] Like many other fungi, coccidioides species have a complex life cycle. […] The spores are extremely small and can be carried far by the wind. Once inside the lungs, the spores reproduce, continuing the disease cycle.

• #17 Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) | Washington State Department of Health

  https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis

  Valley Fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. […] People and animals can get Valley Fever by breathing in spores, generally from dust or disturbed soil, in areas where the fungus is found. […] Coccidioides lives in dust and soil in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. […] People can get Valley Fever by breathing in Coccidioides spores, generally from dust or disturbed soil, for example from activities or exposures such as construction, digging, dust storms, or earthquakes. […] Valley Fever does not generally spread from person to person or from animals to people, with rare exceptions due to organ transplantation or wound contact. […] Anyone who lives in or travels to areas where Coccidioides is present in the environment can get Valley Fever.

• #18 Fungal infections known as valley fever could spike this fall – 3 epidemiologists explain how to protect yourself | The Pursuit | University of Michigan School of Public Health | Environmental Epidemiology l Respiratory Infections

  https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2024posts/fungal-infections-known-as-valley-fever-could-spike-this-fall-3-epidemiologists-explain-how-to-protect-yourself.html

  Valley fever is the common name for a disease called coccidioidomycosis, which is an infection caused by pathogenic fungi from the Coccidioides genus. The fungi are primarily found in arid soils of the southwestern United States, as well as parts of Central and South America. […] When the fungus has access to moisture and nutrients, it grows long, branching fungal chains throughout the soil. When the soil dries out, these chains fragment to form fungal spores, which can be stirred up into the air when the soil is disturbed, such as by wind or digging. Airborne spores can then be inhaled and cause a respiratory infection. […] Because of these trends and the virulence of the pathogen that causes valley fever, it is listed as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization. Historically, fungal infections have received very little attention and resources. By creating this list, the WHO is hoping to galvanize action surrounding listed pathogens, including getting more resources for research as well as the development of new treatments.

• #19 Valley Fever Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

  https://www.medicinenet.com/valley_fever/article.htm

  Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a disease caused by the inhalation of the Coccidioides immitis or C. posadasii fungus. […] Two species of fungi, Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, cause coccidioidomycosis. […] Valley fever is not contagious person to person. People only become infected when they inhale arthroconidia (spores) of Coccidioides that settle in the lungs. […] Spores are easily dispersed and become airborne mixed with dust, especially on dusty, windy days and in areas where soil has been recently disturbed by construction or similar actions. […] People who do construction or farm work, especially the type that disturbs the soil, and any immunosuppressed person has an increased risk of developing valley fever (coccidioidomycosis). […] The majority of people who get infected with the Coccidioides fungi have a good prognosis, as the infection is usually self-limiting.

• #20 Valley Fever: Pathogenesis and Evolving Treatment Options

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10774831/

  Coccidioidomycosis, also termed Valley fever, is a fungal infection caused by the inhalation of Coccidioides endospores. […] Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is a dimorphic fungal infection caused by the inhalation of the spores of Coccidioides immitis and/or C. posadasii; the disease itself is localized to arid climates within the western hemisphere. […] Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the inhalation of spores of the fungus Coccidioides. […] The incidence of coccidioidomycosis has been increasing over the past few decades, especially in the United States. […] Several factors contribute to the epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis, one being environmental conditions. […] Coccidioides fungi thrive in arid and semiarid regions with alkaline soil, with outbreaks often occurring after periods of drought followed by rain.

• #21 Valley fever cases in Arizona up nearly 50%

  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/11/22/valley-fever-cases-arizona/76476521007/

  Valley fever, also known by its clinical name coccidioidomycosis, is a lung infection that is rarely fatal and typically goes away without treatment. […] You can contract it if you breathe in fungal spores carried by dirt and dust. The fungus, called coccidioides, releases spores when dirt and dust are disturbed. An infection can occur when a person inhales these spores. […] Hot and dry conditions are favorable to the fungus that causes the infection. […] The fungus that causes Valley fever thrives in hot and dry climates which is typical in central and southern Arizona. […] Coccidioides spores can be disrupted through wind, dust storms and other activities that stir up dust and dirt.

• #22

  https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/valley-fever-historically-found-only-southwest-spreading-can-devastati-rcna64313

  Valley fever is an infection caused by breathing in spores of the fungus coccidioides. The fungus that causes Valley fever is found in hot, dry environments. The spores can survive through heat and drought, lingering in the soil. When the dirt is disturbed through construction, wind or even walking the spores can be lofted into the air. […] The fungus is endemic to the hot, dry soils of the Southwest; 97% of all U.S. cases of Valley fever are reported in Arizona and California, according to the California Department of Public Health. […] One study in the journal GeoHealth projected that, due to climate change, the range of Valley fever could spread east, through the Great Plains and north, to the Canadian border, before the end of the century. […] In 5% to 10% of cases, the infection can lead to serious, long-term problems in the lungs, according to the CDC.

• #23 Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) (U.S. National Park Service)

  https://www.nps.gov/articles/coccidioidomycosis.htm

  Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides, which is found in soil throughout the southwestern United States. […] The fungus produces microscopic spores, which can become airborne when soil is disturbed. Some people who breathe in the spores from the air may become ill, though most people don’t. […] Approximately 5 to 10% of people who get Valley fever will develop serious or long-term lung problems. […] The fungus that causes Valley fever lives in the soil throughout the southwestern United States and was recently found in south-central Washington. […] Climate change may widen the geographical distribution of Coccidioides, but the exact distributional changes are difficult to predict. […] It is known that drier, windier environments are associated with an increased risk of transmission in areas where fungal spores already exist.

• #24 About Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) | UC Davis Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology

  https://health.ucdavis.edu/medmicro/cocci-about.html

  Found mostly in the western United States, valley fever is caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis, which thrives as microscopic spores in arid soil. […] When the ground is disturbed by wind, construction, farming or other movements, the spores become airborne. They can then be inhaled and cause infection within the lungs and in other parts of the body via the bloodstream. […] A very small proportion of people develop disseminated disease that causes chronic pneumonia, joint pain, fever, fatigue or meningitis, a potentially fatal infection of the membranes and fluid covering the brain and spinal cord.

• #25 Valley Fever: MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/valleyfever.html

  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. […] People who have recently moved to an area where it occurs are at highest risk for infection. […] Valley Fever is diagnosed by testing your blood, other body fluids, or tissues.

• #26 Valley Fever

  https://mentalhealth.networkofcare.org/Greene-pa/HealthLibrary/Article?docType=na&articleId=za1349

  Valley fever is a disease caused by a fungus that gets into your body through your lungs. […] You can get valley fever if you breathe in the fungus (Coccidioides immitis) that causes the disease. […] The fungus grows in the soil. It gets into the air when the ground is broken and the dirt and dust spread into the air. […] Valley fever is not contagious. You cannot get it from another person or from animals. […] But valley fever can come back again in people who have weak immune systems and can’t fight infection. […] The disease is more likely to spread to other areas of the body in people who have weak immune systems.

• #27 Causes of valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) – Canada.ca

  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis/causes-valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis.html

  Valley fever is an infection caused by a fungus found in the soil called Coccidioides. […] You can get valley fever when you breathe in Coccidiodes fungal spores, which cannot be seen by the human eye. […] Coccidioides fungi can be found in the dust and soil of: […] In rare cases, valley fever can be spread through broken skin. […] Valley fever is not contagious. It is not spread from person to person.

• #28 Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) in Primary Care | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0215/p221.html

  Primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) is caused by inhaling airborne spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. […] Person-to-person or zoonotic contagion does not occur, and transplacental infection in humans has never been documented. […] There have been reports, however, of nonrespiratory spread via solid organ transplant or percutaneous transfer of infected fomites, but such cases are rare. […] The incidence of coccidioidomycosis is increasing in endemic areas, and it has been identified as the cause of as many as 17% to 29% of all cases of community-acquired pneumonia in some regions. […] People who have not been in a Coccidioides-endemic region are essentially at no risk of infection. […] More than one-half of primary pulmonary Coccidioides infections are subclinical and resolve spontaneously.

• #29 What You Should Know About Valley Fever | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0215/p221-s1.html

  Valley fever (also called coccidioidomycosis, or cocci [COX-ee] for short) is an infection caused by mold that grows in outdoor dirt. […] Sometimes dirt gets blown by the wind and the mold flies into the air. People then breathe in the mold, and some get sick with a lung infection. […] Valley fever can’t be spread from person to person, or from animals to people.

• #30 Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) in Primary Care | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0215/p221.html

  Primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) is caused by inhaling airborne spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. […] Person-to-person or zoonotic contagion does not occur, and transplacental infection in humans has never been documented. […] There have been reports, however, of nonrespiratory spread via solid organ transplant or percutaneous transfer of infected fomites, but such cases are rare. […] The incidence of coccidioidomycosis is increasing in endemic areas, and it has been identified as the cause of as many as 17% to 29% of all cases of community-acquired pneumonia in some regions. […] People who have not been in a Coccidioides-endemic region are essentially at no risk of infection. […] More than one-half of primary pulmonary Coccidioides infections are subclinical and resolve spontaneously.

• #31 Valley Fever: 10 Things CDC Says You Should Know | PBS News

  https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/valley-fever-10-things-cdc-says-you-should-know

  Valley fever is caused by a fungus that lives in the environment. […] Valley fever is a respiratory disease caused by a fungus called Coccidioides. […] The fungus Coccidioides lives in soil and dust in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. People get valley fever by breathing in the microscopic, airborne fungal spores. […] Some researchers estimate that each year the fungus infects thousands more people, many of whom are sick without knowing the cause or have mild cases that aren’t detected. […] Anyone can get valley fever if they live in or have visited an area where the fungus Coccidioides lives, especially southern Arizona or California’s Central Valley. […] Groups of people who are more likely to develop the severe form of valley fever or develop an infection that spreads beyond the lungs include: African Americans, Asians, pregnant women, particularly those in their third trimester, and people with weakened immune systems.

• #32 Valley fever: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock

  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001322.htm

  Valley fever is an infection that occurs when the spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii enter your body through the lungs. […] Valley fever is due to 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 the fungus from soil. […] Traveling to an area where the fungus is commonly seen raises your risk for this infection. […] People of Native American, African, or Philippine descent are disproportionately affected.

• #33 Fungus common in Arizona causes Valley fever | HonorHealth

  https://www.honorhealth.com/healthy-living/arizona-fungus-causes-valley-fever

  Valley fever is the result of breathing fungal spores of coccidioides and can cause a fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and rash. […] If you live by a construction site where dirt is being moved, youre outside during a monsoon, or youre outside gardening, your risk goes up. […] Most of us dont get sick from it. But some can get very ill, suffering from an intense cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and night sweats. […] Also, theres a type of meningitis thats caused by Valley fever; youll be quite sick if you have meningitis and on medication for the rest of your life. […] It can happen. You might or might not have had symptoms of the disease, but your doctor later sees a spot on an X-ray. The spot is caused when your immune system walls off the fungus spores, forming scar tissue or a granuloma a collection of immune cells called histiocytes or macrophages.

• #34 Valley Fever: MedlinePlus

  https://medlineplus.gov/valleyfever.html

  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. […] People who have recently moved to an area where it occurs are at highest risk for infection. […] Valley Fever is diagnosed by testing your blood, other body fluids, or tissues.

• #35 Valley Fever: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

  https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/valley-fever

  The people most likely to get valley fever include people who live in or have visited regions where it is common, like California, people 60 and over, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant people, people with diabetes, and people of African descent and Hispanic, Native American, and Filipino people.

• #36 Coccidioidomycosis

  https://fpnotebook.com/Lung/Fungus/Ccdmycs.htm

  Fungal organism: Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii […] Organisms are found growing normally in soil in endemic regions. […] Transmission: Inhalation of airborne spores (when soil is disturbed) […] No known person-to-person or zoonotic spread. […] No known transplacental transmission. […] Rarely, Solid Organ Transplant has transmitted Coccidioidomycosis. […] Incubation: Symptom onset 3 weeks after inhalation of spores. […] Lifelong Immunity after first infection typically prevents recurrent infection with re-exposure. […] Endemic region exposure within last 2 months (all cases). […] Dusty outdoor activities. […] Risk Factors for disseminated disease (see below). […] Chronic Pulmonary Sequelae (5-10%). […] Extra-pulmonary Dissemination (1% within 2 years of initial infection). […] Risk Factors for dissemination include Advanced Age, Black or Filipino patient, Diabetes Mellitus, Pregnancy or peripartum, Inflammatory rheumatic disease, and Immune deficiency.

• #37 Valley Fever – County of Fresno

  https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/Public-Health/Community-Health/Communicable-Disease-Investigation-Program/Valley-Fever

  Coccidioidmycosis, also known as Valley Fever, is disease caused by a fungus called Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii carried in the environment. When the fungi are carried in the wind as spores, they can become inhaled, causing Valley Fever. […] Coccidioides immitis is endemic to the Central Valley and the greater San Joaquin Valley, but Coccidioides posadasii also causes Valley Fever in other areas of the United States, including southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and western Texas. […] Anyone exposed to coccidioides fungal spores can become infected however African Americans, Filipinos, third-trimester pregnant females and immune-compromised people have a higher probability of developing more serious disseminated illness.

• #38 Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) | Washington State Department of Health

  https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis

  Data also suggest that risk of Valley Fever infection may be greater for people of American Indian or Alaska Native descent, and the risk of severe disease may be greater among people who are Black or Filipino. […] The Coccidioides fungus lives and grows in areas of low rainfall and high temperatures. […] Factors that affect the ability of Coccidioides to live and grow are complex and include climate, soil conditions, and the presence of other species in the soil and environment. […] If these models are correct, we may expect to see increasing numbers of people at risk of Valley fever exposure in Washington state.

• #39 Coccidioidomycosis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448161/

  The spherules divide internally by developing internal septae, which divide the spherule into compartments. Each compartment has endospores. […] The mainstay of the defense against Coccidioides species is the T-lymphocytes, particularly the T-helper2 lymphocytes (Th2). […] The infection rate has declined dramatically since the advent of antiretroviral therapy. […] In addition to new infections in endemic areas, reactivations can occur in transplant patients when cell-mediated immunity decreases.

• #40 Valley Fever: Pathogenesis and Evolving Treatment Options

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10774831/

  Coccidioidomycosis, therefore, is an emerging fungal infection with a growing incidence in certain endemic regions. […] Coccidioidomycosis is mostly benign and self-limiting but may also be progressive and spread throughout the body. […] The more progressive form of a Coccidioides infection is referred to as disseminated coccidioidomycosis or coccidioidal granuloma. […] Coccidioides resides within dust and soil, where the species undergoes autolysis, a process in which some fungal cells are transformed into barrel-shaped, loosely adherent endospores called arthroconidia. […] The length of the arthroconidia is only 2-5 microns, allowing them to reach the terminal bronchioles following inhalation. […] Once in the lungs’ alveoli, the human body temperature allows these spores to transform from a rectangular form into a more unique structure called spherules.

• #41 UA Expertise Shines in Valley Fever Research

  https://news.arizona.edu/resources-media/university-experts/ua-expertise-valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis

  In susceptible people, such as those who are immunocompromised, and animals, infection occurs when a spore is inhaled. Within the lung, the spore changes into a larger, multicellular structure called a spherule. The spherule grows and bursts, releasing endospores, which, in turn, develop into spherules. Symptoms of Valley fever generally occur within three weeks of exposure.

• #42 Coccidioidomycosis and Valley Fever: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/215978-overview

  C immitis is largely limited to the San Joaquin Valley. C posadasii is found in the other areas of Coccidioides endemicity. The manifestations of infection with either organism are assumed to be identical. […] Coccidioides is a dimorphic fungus, meaning that it assumes 2 different forms, yeast or mold, depending on the environment. In soil, Coccidioides grows as a mold (mycelium) with branching septate hyphae. […] Coccidioides arthroconidia are extremely infectious; a single C immitis arthroconidium may be sufficient to produce a respiratory infection. However, exposure to high spore burdens increases the likelihood of more severe disease in otherwise healthy persons. […] Rarely, direct inoculation of C immitis (eg, from contaminated penetrating objects) causes primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis with lymphatic extension to the regional lymph nodes; these cases resolve without treatment. […] The presence of spherules triggers an acute inflammatory reaction. Spherules react with complement and promote chemotaxis of neutrophils and eosinophils. […] The pathogenicity of the organism largely is related to the resistance of the spherule to eradication by host defenses.

• #43 Coccidioidomycosis and Valley Fever: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology

  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/215978-overview

  C immitis is largely limited to the San Joaquin Valley. C posadasii is found in the other areas of Coccidioides endemicity. The manifestations of infection with either organism are assumed to be identical. […] Coccidioides is a dimorphic fungus, meaning that it assumes 2 different forms, yeast or mold, depending on the environment. In soil, Coccidioides grows as a mold (mycelium) with branching septate hyphae. […] Coccidioides arthroconidia are extremely infectious; a single C immitis arthroconidium may be sufficient to produce a respiratory infection. However, exposure to high spore burdens increases the likelihood of more severe disease in otherwise healthy persons. […] Rarely, direct inoculation of C immitis (eg, from contaminated penetrating objects) causes primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis with lymphatic extension to the regional lymph nodes; these cases resolve without treatment. […] The presence of spherules triggers an acute inflammatory reaction. Spherules react with complement and promote chemotaxis of neutrophils and eosinophils. […] The pathogenicity of the organism largely is related to the resistance of the spherule to eradication by host defenses.

• #44 Valley Fever: Pathogenesis and Evolving Treatment Options

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10774831/

  However, it is theorized that Th2 lymphocytes are the primary defense against Coccidioides species, given that Th2 deficiency or dysfunction has been frequently observed in patients with extrapulmonary or disseminated forms of the disease. […] The prevalence and severity of coccidioidomycosis infections among mammals depend on species susceptibility, environmental conditions, level of exposure, comorbidities, and immunosuppressive states.

• #45 Coccidioidomycosis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448161/

  The spherules divide internally by developing internal septae, which divide the spherule into compartments. Each compartment has endospores. […] The mainstay of the defense against Coccidioides species is the T-lymphocytes, particularly the T-helper2 lymphocytes (Th2). […] The infection rate has declined dramatically since the advent of antiretroviral therapy. […] In addition to new infections in endemic areas, reactivations can occur in transplant patients when cell-mediated immunity decreases.

• #46 Fungus common in Arizona causes Valley fever | HonorHealth

  https://www.honorhealth.com/healthy-living/arizona-fungus-causes-valley-fever

  Valley fever is the result of breathing fungal spores of coccidioides and can cause a fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and rash. […] If you live by a construction site where dirt is being moved, youre outside during a monsoon, or youre outside gardening, your risk goes up. […] Most of us dont get sick from it. But some can get very ill, suffering from an intense cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and night sweats. […] Also, theres a type of meningitis thats caused by Valley fever; youll be quite sick if you have meningitis and on medication for the rest of your life. […] It can happen. You might or might not have had symptoms of the disease, but your doctor later sees a spot on an X-ray. The spot is caused when your immune system walls off the fungus spores, forming scar tissue or a granuloma a collection of immune cells called histiocytes or macrophages.

• #47 Valley Fever: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17754-valley-fever

  Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. Coccidioides grows in the soil in the southwestern U.S., parts of Washington state and Central and South America. […] Valley fever is the earliest stage of a Coccidioides infection. People with this condition often have no symptoms or flu-like symptoms, but it can sometimes progress to more serious stages of coccidioidomycosis. […] There are two forms of Coccidioides fungi that cause Valley fever: Coccidioides immitis (C. immitis) grows in the soil in California. Coccidioides posadasii (C. posadasii) grows in other parts of the U.S. and Central and South America. […] Disturbing the soil particularly during construction or dust storms breaks apart the fungus, which releases its reproductive parts (spores) into the air. You inhale the microscopic spores and they settle in your lungs where they can grow into larger clusters of more spores (spherules).

• #48 About Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC

  https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/about/index.html

  Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a lung infection caused by breathing in spores from the fungus, Coccidioides. […] Coccidioides lives in soil in some areas in the southwestern U.S. and south-central Washington state. […] People can get Valley fever by breathing in the spores from Coccidioides. […] Valley fever causes typical lung infection symptoms like cough and fever. […] Certain groups of people are at increased risk for more severe illness. […] While it is very rare, the infection can spread to other parts of the body (called disseminated infection). […] Early treatment with antifungal medications can save lives. […] Because Valley fever has the same symptoms as pneumonias caused by bacteria or viruses, it is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. […] Severe infections or infections that spread to other parts of the body require antifungal medication and may require hospitalization.

• #49 Learn About Coccidioidomycosis | American Lung Association

  https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/coccidioidomycosis/learn-about-coccidioidomycosis

  Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, is an infection caused by breathing in the spores of the fungus Coccidioides found in the soil in the Pacific Northwest and southwestern United States and parts of Mexico, Central and South America. […] People living in or traveling to regions where the Coccidioides fungus occurs are at risk of infection. Exposure to dust storms or areas where contaminated soil is being disturbed, such as construction sites or farms, may increase your risk. […] Only about five to ten percent of people who get Valley fever will develop serious or long-term lung problems. Less than one percent will have the disease spread to other parts of the body.

• #50 Valley Fever: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17754-valley-fever

  Anyone who breathes in the fungus can get infected, but Valley fever is most common in adults over age 60. […] Serious complications include: Disease spread outside of your lungs (disseminated coccidioidomycosis). […] One of the most serious complications of Valley fever is when the fungus spreads outside of your lungs. It can spread to your skin, bones, joints, liver, pancreas, kidneys and brain. […] No, Valley fever isnt contagious from person to person like the flu. […] In rare cases, the fungus can move to other parts of your body. If left untreated, coccidioidomycosis in your brain can be fatal.

• #51 Valley Fever: Pathogenesis and Evolving Treatment Options

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10774831/

  However, it is theorized that Th2 lymphocytes are the primary defense against Coccidioides species, given that Th2 deficiency or dysfunction has been frequently observed in patients with extrapulmonary or disseminated forms of the disease. […] The prevalence and severity of coccidioidomycosis infections among mammals depend on species susceptibility, environmental conditions, level of exposure, comorbidities, and immunosuppressive states.

• #52 Valley Fever in Kern County: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

  https://dhmgblog.dignityhealth.org/vf-signs-symptoms-and-treatment

  Valley fever goes by many names. Some people refer to the infection as cocci, desert rheumatism, California fever or San Joaquin fever. This condition is caused by a fungus that lives in soil throughout Kern County and other parts of the world. […] Inhaling these spores is what causes valley fever and it is extremely rare to contract the infection any other way. […] Escalation of the infection from acute to chronic status depends on several factors, including how strong your immune system is, how healthy you are prior to infection, and how many spores you inhaled. […] If your body cant fight off the initial fungal infection, or you dont receive treatment, you could experience pneumonia, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, blood in your sputum (mucus you cough up), difficulty breathing, headache, vomiting, and stiff neck.

• #53 About Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC

  https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/about/index.html

  Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a lung infection caused by breathing in spores from the fungus, Coccidioides. […] Coccidioides lives in soil in some areas in the southwestern U.S. and south-central Washington state. […] People can get Valley fever by breathing in the spores from Coccidioides. […] Valley fever causes typical lung infection symptoms like cough and fever. […] Certain groups of people are at increased risk for more severe illness. […] While it is very rare, the infection can spread to other parts of the body (called disseminated infection). […] Early treatment with antifungal medications can save lives. […] Because Valley fever has the same symptoms as pneumonias caused by bacteria or viruses, it is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. […] Severe infections or infections that spread to other parts of the body require antifungal medication and may require hospitalization.

• #54 Valley Fever: Pathogenesis and Evolving Treatment Options

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10774831/

  Coccidioidomycosis, also termed Valley fever, is a fungal infection caused by the inhalation of Coccidioides endospores. […] Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is a dimorphic fungal infection caused by the inhalation of the spores of Coccidioides immitis and/or C. posadasii; the disease itself is localized to arid climates within the western hemisphere. […] Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the inhalation of spores of the fungus Coccidioides. […] The incidence of coccidioidomycosis has been increasing over the past few decades, especially in the United States. […] Several factors contribute to the epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis, one being environmental conditions. […] Coccidioides fungi thrive in arid and semiarid regions with alkaline soil, with outbreaks often occurring after periods of drought followed by rain.

• #55 Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) | Washington State Department of Health

  https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis

  Valley Fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. […] People and animals can get Valley Fever by breathing in spores, generally from dust or disturbed soil, in areas where the fungus is found. […] Coccidioides lives in dust and soil in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. […] People can get Valley Fever by breathing in Coccidioides spores, generally from dust or disturbed soil, for example from activities or exposures such as construction, digging, dust storms, or earthquakes. […] Valley Fever does not generally spread from person to person or from animals to people, with rare exceptions due to organ transplantation or wound contact. […] Anyone who lives in or travels to areas where Coccidioides is present in the environment can get Valley Fever.

• #56 UA Expertise Shines in Valley Fever Research

  https://news.arizona.edu/resources-media/university-experts/ua-expertise-valley-fever-coccidioidomycosis

  Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis or cocci, is primarily a lung disease that is common in the Southwest United States and northwestern Mexico. […] Caused by the fungus Coccidioides, Valley Fever grows in soils in areas with low rainfall, high summer temperatures and moderate winter temperatures. […] The medical name for Valley fever is coccidioidomycosis (often shortened to „cocci” caused by the fungus Coccidioides spp. (C. immitis, C. posadasii). […] The disease usually affects the lungs and can cause pneumonia. […] It is not contagious. For most, symptoms if any are mild, including fatigue, fever, headaches, rash, night sweats, weight loss, joint or muscle aches. For some people, the disease may spread to the skin, joints, bone or, in the most severe cases, the brain.

• #57 What Is Valley Fever? Symptoms, Causes, Treatments | PS Health

  https://www.popsugar.com/health/valley-fever-fungal-infection-49077913

  Valley fever used to be referred to as „desert rheumatism” because of its correlation to the desert climate and its impact on the lungs, according to the University of Arizona. The fungus that causes the respiratory illness is found in hot, dry environments. „In general, different fungal species have different environmental conditions that allow them to flourish,” says Amesh A. Adalja, MD, FIDSA, FACP, FACEP, senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. As environmental conditions change, more areas may become hospitable to their growth. […] Valley fever is a lung disease commonly found in the Southwest (Arizona, Southern California, West Texas, Nevada and Utah) because it thrives in areas with low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter weather. It’s also known as coccidioidomycosis or cocci because it’s caused by the fungus Coccidioid that grows in soil. The respiratory illness can be deadly, especially for the immunocompromised and domestic animals.

• #58 Valley Fever Is On the Rise – But No One Knows How It Picks Its Victims | UC San Francisco

  https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2019/10/415536/valley-fever-rise-no-one-knows-how-it-picks-its-victims

  A recent study by UC Irvine researchers makes a grim prediction: by 2100, a warming climate will allow Valley Fever to expand throughout much of the western United States. […] Researchers estimate that only 60 percent of infected people show symptoms. […] Increasing infections will have health and financial impacts. […] Valley Fever is very much a growing problem, and we need to be able to counteract it more effectively than we can now.

• #59 Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) (U.S. National Park Service)

  https://www.nps.gov/articles/coccidioidomycosis.htm

  Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides, which is found in soil throughout the southwestern United States. […] The fungus produces microscopic spores, which can become airborne when soil is disturbed. Some people who breathe in the spores from the air may become ill, though most people don’t. […] Approximately 5 to 10% of people who get Valley fever will develop serious or long-term lung problems. […] The fungus that causes Valley fever lives in the soil throughout the southwestern United States and was recently found in south-central Washington. […] Climate change may widen the geographical distribution of Coccidioides, but the exact distributional changes are difficult to predict. […] It is known that drier, windier environments are associated with an increased risk of transmission in areas where fungal spores already exist.

• #60 What’s New

  https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/Coccidioidomycosis.aspx

  Valley fever (also called coccidioidomycosis or cocci) is a disease caused by a fungus that grows in the soil and dirt in some areas of California and the southwestern United States. People and animals can get sick when they breathe in dust that contains the Valley fever fungus. This fungus usually infects the lungs and can cause respiratory symptoms including cough, fever, chest pain, and tiredness. […] The Valley fever fungus grows in dirt and soil, but is too small to see; fungus spores get in the air when dust is stirred up by the wind or by digging; people and animals breathe in the spores from dust in the air; the fungus usually infects the lungs, but it can spread to other organs. […] Most cases of Valley fever in California are reported from the Central Valley and Central Coast regions. But Valley fever cases have also been increasing outside of these regions as California experiences more drought. Valley fever cases are on the rise in California, including in the northern Central Valley and southern coastal areas of California.

• #61 Valley Fever: Pathogenesis and Evolving Treatment Options

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10774831/

  Coccidioidomycosis, also termed Valley fever, is a fungal infection caused by the inhalation of Coccidioides endospores. […] Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is a dimorphic fungal infection caused by the inhalation of the spores of Coccidioides immitis and/or C. posadasii; the disease itself is localized to arid climates within the western hemisphere. […] Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the inhalation of spores of the fungus Coccidioides. […] The incidence of coccidioidomycosis has been increasing over the past few decades, especially in the United States. […] Several factors contribute to the epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis, one being environmental conditions. […] Coccidioides fungi thrive in arid and semiarid regions with alkaline soil, with outbreaks often occurring after periods of drought followed by rain.

• #62 Valley Fever | Valley Fever | CDC

  https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/index.html

  Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a lung infection from a fungus in soil in parts of the U.S. […] Areas with Valley Fever Maps show the approximate areas where the fungus that causes Valley fever (Coccidioides) is found. […] Valley fever is a national notifiable disease most common in the Southwest. It is under diagnosed. […] Fungal diseases and antifungal resistance are increasing worldwide. Misdiagnosis is common.

• #63 Valley fever hits minority populations in the Southwest hardest

  https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2024/04/25/valley-fever-hits-minority-populations-southwest-hardest/

  Valley fever (Coccidioidomycosis) is an infection caused by the spores of Coccidioides fungus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The spores live in the soil and dust in some areas of the southwestern U.S. People become infected by inhaling the spores when they’re released from the dust. […] When they tested Sestiaga, they noted that his markers for infection with Coccidioides were through the roof, he said. […] According to the CDC, the true number of Valley fever cases is likely underreported due to many patients not being tested. The Valley Fever Center for Excellence estimates that the actual number of cases is six to 14 times higher than reported. […] The fungus is found throughout the Southwest and, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona accounts for nearly two-thirds of all Valley fever cases in the U.S.

• #64 Fungal infections known as valley fever could spike this fall – 3 epidemiologists explain how to protect yourself

  https://theconversation.com/fungal-infections-known-as-valley-fever-could-spike-this-fall-3-epidemiologists-explain-how-to-protect-yourself-238972

  Valley fever is the common name for a disease called coccidioidomycosis, which is an infection caused by pathogenic fungi from the Coccidioides genus. The fungi are primarily found in arid soils of the southwestern United States, as well as parts of Central and South America. […] When the fungus has access to moisture and nutrients, it grows long, branching fungal chains throughout the soil. When the soil dries out, these chains fragment to form fungal spores, which can be stirred up into the air when the soil is disturbed, such as by wind or digging. Airborne spores can then be inhaled and cause a respiratory infection. […] Because of these trends and the virulence of the pathogen that causes valley fever, it is listed as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization. […] In California and Arizona, an estimated one-third of community-acquired pneumonia cases or pneumonia acquired outside of the hospital are caused by valley fever. However, only a fraction of community-acquired pneumonia cases get tested for it, so its likely the number of valley fever cases is significantly higher.

• #65 Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) in Primary Care | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0215/p221.html

  Primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) is caused by inhaling airborne spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. […] Person-to-person or zoonotic contagion does not occur, and transplacental infection in humans has never been documented. […] There have been reports, however, of nonrespiratory spread via solid organ transplant or percutaneous transfer of infected fomites, but such cases are rare. […] The incidence of coccidioidomycosis is increasing in endemic areas, and it has been identified as the cause of as many as 17% to 29% of all cases of community-acquired pneumonia in some regions. […] People who have not been in a Coccidioides-endemic region are essentially at no risk of infection. […] More than one-half of primary pulmonary Coccidioides infections are subclinical and resolve spontaneously.

• #66 The threat of valley fever is growing in Central California – Los Angeles Times

  https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-10-02/the-threat-of-valley-fever-is-growing-in-central-california

  Some experts warn that the fungus that causes valley fever is growing increasingly resistant to drugs a phenomenon they say is due to the spraying of antifungal agents on area crops. […] Valley fever, a fungal infection, spreads through dust. […] Experts worry that as the range of valley fever spreads whether by a changing climate, shifting demographics, or increased construction in areas once left to coyotes, desert rodents and cacti more and more severe cases will appear. […] Theyre also concerned that the fungus is building resistance to the medicines used to fight it. […] Antje Lauer, a professor of microbiology at Cal State Bakersfield and a cocci fungus expert, said she and her students have found growing pharmaceutical resistance in the fungus, the result of the use of agricultural fungicides on crops.

• #67

  https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/valley-fever-historically-found-only-southwest-spreading-can-devastati-rcna64313

  Valley fever can be difficult to treat; some patients need to take antifungal medications for months or years, which can come with uncomfortable side effects such as hair loss, chapped lips and dry skin. […] Scientists have been trying to develop a vaccine for Valley fever since the 1960s, according to the CDC.

• #68 Fungal infections known as valley fever could spike this fall – 3 epidemiologists explain how to protect yourself | The Pursuit | University of Michigan School of Public Health | Environmental Epidemiology l Respiratory Infections

  https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2024posts/fungal-infections-known-as-valley-fever-could-spike-this-fall-3-epidemiologists-explain-how-to-protect-yourself.html

  Valley fever is the common name for a disease called coccidioidomycosis, which is an infection caused by pathogenic fungi from the Coccidioides genus. The fungi are primarily found in arid soils of the southwestern United States, as well as parts of Central and South America. […] When the fungus has access to moisture and nutrients, it grows long, branching fungal chains throughout the soil. When the soil dries out, these chains fragment to form fungal spores, which can be stirred up into the air when the soil is disturbed, such as by wind or digging. Airborne spores can then be inhaled and cause a respiratory infection. […] Because of these trends and the virulence of the pathogen that causes valley fever, it is listed as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization. Historically, fungal infections have received very little attention and resources. By creating this list, the WHO is hoping to galvanize action surrounding listed pathogens, including getting more resources for research as well as the development of new treatments.

• #69 Valley Fever Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

  https://www.medicinenet.com/valley_fever/article.htm

  However, people with diabetes or the elderly have an only fair prognosis, as they can develop progressive pulmonary disease with symptoms (shortness of breath, lung fibrosis, and cavities in the lungs) that persist for years. […] Research is progressing at several laboratories, but to date there is no vaccine available to prevent coccidioidomycosis in humans.

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