Diseases

Valley Fever (California Valley Fever)

Back

Coccidioidomycosis commonly known as "cocci", "valley fever" as well as "california fever", "desert rheumatism",and "san joaquin valley fever", is a mammalian fungal disease caused by coccidioides immitis or coccidioides posadasii. Coccidioidomycosis is endemic in certain parts of arizona, california, nevada, new mexico, texas, utah, and northern mexico.

Coccidioidomycosis is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in the endemic areas of the united states. Infections usually occur due to inhalation of the arthroconidial spores after soil disruption.The Disease is not contagious. In some cases the infection may recur or become chronic.
An estimated 60% of people infected with the fungi responsible for coccidioidomycosis have minimal to no symptoms, while 40% will have a range of possible clinical symptoms. Of those who do develop symptoms, the primary infection is most often respiratory, with symptoms resembling bronchitis or pneumonia that resolve over a matter of a few weeks. In endemic regions, coccidioidomycosis is responsible for 20% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia.Notable Coccidioidomycosis signs and symptoms include a profound feeling of tiredness, fever, cough, headaches, rash, muscle pain, and joint pain.Fatigue Can persist for many months after initial infection.The Classic triad of coccidioidomycosis known as "desert rheumatism" includes the combination of fever, joint pains, and erythema nodosum.