How do they test for valley fever in humans?

The most common way that healthcare providers test for Valley fever is by taking a blood sample and sending it to a laboratory to look for Coccidioides antibodies or antigens. Healthcare providers may do imaging tests such as chest x-rays or CT scans of your lungs to look for Valley fever pneumonia.

Where are you most likely to catch Valley Fever?

Anyone who lives in or travels to the southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, or Utah), or parts of Mexico or Central or South America can get Valley fever. Valley fever can affect people of any age, but it’s most common in adults aged 60 and older.

Can you survive Valley Fever?

Most people recover from coccidioidomycosis-related pneumonia without complications. Others, mainly people of Filipino and African heritage, and those with weakened immune systems, may become seriously ill. Ruptured lung nodules. A small percentage of people develop thin-walled nodules (cavities) in their lungs.

Can you be immune to valley fever?

Valley fever is not contagious. You cannot get it from another person or from animals. After getting better, most people will not get valley fever again. This is called being immune.

What happens if valley fever goes untreated?

Some may develop a rash. It’s easy to dismiss these symptoms, even if they linger for weeks or months. For many, the symptoms will disappear on their own. But for some, untreated Valley Fever can lead to chronic fatigue, severe weight loss, pneumonia, meningitis or even death.

In what part of the United States is blastomycosis endemic?

Blastomycosis. Blastomycosis is considered endemic to the south-central, southeastern, and midwestern US states, particularly those bordering the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and in parts of the United States and Canada surrounding the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River (2,5).

What happens if Valley fever goes untreated?

How serious is a fungal infection in the lungs?

Both aspergillomas and invasive aspergillosis can cause severe, and sometimes fatal, bleeding in your lungs. Systemic infection. The most serious complication of invasive aspergillosis is the spread of the infection to other parts of your body, especially your brain, heart and kidneys.

Does Valley fever cause permanent lung damage?

Most people who have Valley fever will make a full recovery. A small percent of people develop long-term lung infections that can take several years to get better. In very severe cases of Valley fever, the nervous system can be affected and there may be long-term damage, but this is very rare.

How long does it take to recover from Valley fever?

Individuals who are otherwise healthy will normally recover completely within 6 months. In patients with severe symptoms, complete recovery may take up to a year. Fatigue and joint pains may persist for longer.

What is Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis)?

Here are some important things to know about Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis. The fungus that causes Valley fever, Coccidioides, is found in soil in the southwestern United States ( see map ), parts of Mexico and Central America, and parts of South America.

What is valvalley fever?

Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. The fungus is known to live in the soil in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America. The fungus was also recently found in south-central Washington. People can get Valley fever by breathing in

Where does Valley fever come from in the US?

Español (Spanish) Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. The fungus is known to live in the soil in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America. The fungus was also recently found in south-central Washington.

What are the long-term effects of Valley fever?

A small percent of people develop long-term lung infections that can take several years to get better. In very severe cases of Valley fever, the nervous system can be affected and there may be long-term damage, but this is very rare.