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If you have been diagnosed with valley fever, you may wish to go over the following five questions with your physician:
1. Though my report says Primary Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis, it is being referred to as valley fever by medical staff. Is everybody here on the same page?
Valley fever gets its name because of its prevalence in specific geographical areas of the North, Central and South American continents. Though it is also popularly known as desert fever, San Joaquin Valley fever, or California Valley Fever, you will be diagnosed with a condition called Coccidioidomycosis if you were to go to a hospital – it’s the technical medical term. Cases of Coccidioidomycosis are fairly common in the planting, harvesting and post-rain seasons in Arizona, Texas, Utah, California, Nevada, etc.
At a basic level, it is a fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitus and Coccidioides posadasii. There are basically three types of this condition and tests prove which of the three forms a person is infected with. The forms are Primary Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (PPC), Primary Cutaneous Coccidioidomycosis (PCC) and Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis (DC).
2. Besides the fever, chest pain and enlarged nymph nodes I am experiencing, what else could I be looking at until I recover?
Other common symptoms of valley fever are:
• Cough
• Headaches
• Chills
• Appetite loss
• Joint and muscle stiffness
• Altered mental state
• Photo-sensitivity
• Joint swelling
• Rashes and skin eruptions
• Sweating
• Wheezing
• Blood stained sputum
• Body ache and stiffness
3. Am I part of the risk group where the outlook looks bleak?
You will be a part of this risk group if you work in the fields (as both the fungi types reside in soil), at construction sites, at archaeological excavators or are military field training personnel. It is also common amongst those with a weakened immune system such as pregnant women, AIDS patients, etc. Certain races such as Filipino, African and Native Americans are susceptible to the disease as well.
4. What is Disseminated Coccidioimycsis?
Disseminated Coccidioimycsis (DC) presents itself when the disease spreads to other organs of the body from the lungs – such as, to the heart, CNS, liver, bones etc. AIDS are other patients with immunosuppressive conditions run a higher risk of DC.
5. Because there are these different types of valley fever, how can I be sure that I have one and not the other variant?
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential WBC count is required. There are five different types of white blood cells – lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils - , each with its own function in protecting us from infection. A differential reading shows us which infection group a disease belongs to.
ALL INFORMATION GIVEN IN THIS ADVOCACY SHEET IS TO BE CHECKED WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THEM OR TAKING THEM AS STANDARD OR VERIFIED.
Mamta Singh is a published author of the books Migraines for the Informed Woman (Publisher: Rupa & Co.) and the upcoming Rev Up Your Life! (Publisher: Hay House India). She is also a seasoned business, creative and academic writer. She is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer & sports nutritionist through IFA, Florida USA. Mamta is an NCFE-certified Holistic Health Therapist SAC Dip U.K. She is the lead writer and holds Expert Author status in many well-received health, fitness and nutrition sites. She runs her own popular blogs on migraines in women and holistic health. Mamta holds a double Master's Degree in Commerce and Business. She is a registered practitioner with the UN recognised Art of Living Foundation. Link: http://www.migrainingjenny.wordpress.com and http://www.footstrike.wordpress.com
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