Valley Fever is called so 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 or San Joaquin Valley Fever, or California Valley Fever, you will be diagnosed with a condition called Coccidioimycosis if you were to go to a hospital – it’s medical term. Cases of Coccidioimycosis are fairly common in the planting, harvesting and post-rain seasons in Arizona, Texas, Utah, California, Nevada, etc.
So what really is this disease with a complex name? At a basic level, it is a fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitus and Coccidioides posadasii. There are basically 3 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).
Valley fever has a wide range of presentations, which usually appear within 1-3 weeks of exposure to the fungi. It is important that you consult a doctor if you experience any or a combination of the following symptoms:
Fever, Cough, Headache, Chills Loss of appetite , Joint and Muscle Stiffness, Body ache and stiffness, Wheezing, Blood–stained Sputum, Sweating, Rashes and Skin lesions, Chest Pain, Photo sensitivity, Joint swelling, Enlarged Lymph nodes, Altered Mental state.
Cases of Coccidioimycosis have been reported as late as 2007 in Arizona’s Maricopa County where approximately 3,450 cases were reported during that year. Similarly, in 2005, San Joaquin Valley reported at least 3% of its population to be infected with the condition.
Though the risk groups primarily include those who work in the fields (as both the fungi types reside in soil), construction site workers and others such as archaeological excavators and military field training personnel, it is also common amongst those with a weakened immune system such as pregnant women, AIDS patients, etc. Races such as Filipino, African and Native Americans are susceptible to the disease as well.
Primary Pulmonary Coccidioimycosis (PPC) is rare and has few symptoms. However, Chronic Pulmonar Coccidioimycosis (CPC) can occur 20 years after the first exposure to the fungus. If at this stage, the mild symptoms go untreated, it is possible that lung abcesses, rupture and pus leak into the pleural space can occur. Fortunately this is very rare.
In its other form as 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.
In our next post, we shall take a look at the conventional methods of treating Valley Fever and alternative techniques to cure the disease. We shall also look at the diagnostic tests require to confirm the disease and possible complications, prognosis and preventative steps to deter re-lapse.
Mamta Singh is a published author (Migraines for the Informed Woman – Tips from a Sufferer. Publisher: Rupa & Co.), seasoned business, creative and academic writer. She is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer & sports nutritionist through IFA, Florida USA. She is the lead writer and holds Expert Author status in many well-received health, fitness and nutrition sites. Mamta runs her own popular blogs on migraines in women and holistic health. Mamta holds a double Master's Degree in Commerce and Business, and is a certified Holistic Healing Therapist from the U.K. 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