Confirming Valley Fever (Medical term: Coccidiodomycosis) requires a combination of tests.
Diagnosis is effective using a Chest X-ray which will show the places the lung is infected where the spores of the fungi have lodged themselves.
A Complete Blood Count 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.
A sputum culture is also prescribed especially if the symptoms include the presence of blood-stained sputum while coughing.
A variation is the Potassium Hydroxide sputum smear test where fungi are detected by dissolving human cells obtained from the sputum in a culture.
Serum Coccidioides Complement Fixation Titer test may be prescribed as well. This tests the serum of the blood for the presence of antibodies which may have been produced to counter the antigen Coccidioides immitis. In the case where antibodies have been produced they will fix themselves to tackle the C. immitis antigen. In some cases a repeat test may be done after several weeks to check if the infection is still active through reading the titer or antibody concentration per volume of blood.
A test called the Coccidioidin skin test or a Spherulin skin test was a prevalent technique of diagnosis until some years back but is now rarely used.
Treating mild Valley Fever primarily involves bed rest and mild medication to tackle symptomatic afflictions.
However, the more severe DC is given courses of AmphotericinB IV, Fluconazole. Other drugs found equally effective are Ketoconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole,etc.
Complications can occur prior, during or in the immediate post-treatment period of Valley Fever and they range from dissemination in the body of the fungus, relapse and pleural effusion (where the pus leaks out into the spaces between the lung and the ribs). It is also possible that treatment with intravenous (IV) Amphotericin B may cause adverse and acute side effects such as nausea, fever and kidney malfunction. This may require additional medication to tackle.
Coccidiodomycosis is a non-contagious disease, i.e. it does not spread from one infected person to another. However, Coccidioides growing in culture as a mold in the laboratory may cause infection in laboratory personnel if the cultures are inappropriately handled. If this does occur, the personnel must report to their healthcare practitioner at the earliest.
Except in the case of Disseminated Coccidiodomycosis (DC) where the fatality rate is very high, the prognosis for the other two types of Valley fever is good and largely depends on overall health – especially immune system robustness, reach for medical treatments, staying away/avoiding contaminated soil or area etc.
Alternative Medicines are also popular in the management of mild Valley Fever. They usually are given as prophylactics. The rationale is to create an non-conducive environment within the body for the fungi to survive. So a diet low in sugars and dairy products is given along with raw and unprocessed (closest to nature) foods as well as probiotic foods. Yeast containing foods (like beer etc) are to be abstained from and vitamin supplements (especially Vitamins A, B-Complex, C, and E) to boost the immune system are administered. Antifungal herbs like garlic are used in ample quantities to suppress the fungi.
However, for the more severe forms of Valley Fever, it is advisable to go for conventional or mainline medication/treatment.
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 presently training as a 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