Valley Fever

The Valley Fever topic includes research on the causative pathogen, transmission, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the Valley Fever or coccidioidomycosis.

Valley Fever is a disease caused by inhaling spores of the fungus Coccidioides. These fungi live in the soil of dry areas like the southwestern United States. Valley Fever is more common among adults age 60 and older, people whose jobs expose them to soil dust (like construction and farm workers), people with weakened immune systems, and those in their third trimester of pregnancy.

Valley Fever may have no symptoms at all or a mild flu-like illness with fever, cough, headache, rash, and muscle aches. Most people recover from Valley Fever without treatment within several weeks or months. Some cases may require antifungal drugs.