Valley Fever:
Valley fever, a fungal disease endemic to the western United States, is seeing a significant rise in cases across California, prompting concerns among health officials and researchers.
- Valley Fever also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides.
- The fungus lives in soil in some areas, including the southwestern United States and south-central Washington, as well as in parts of Mexico as well as Central and South America.
- People and animals can get Valley Fever by breathing in spores, generally from dust or disturbed soil, in areas where the fungus is found.
- Most people who breathe in spores do not get sick, but some people develop mild or severe forms of the disease.
- Valley fever does not generally spread from person to person or from animal to people, with rare exceptions due to organ transplantation or wound contact.
- Most of the time, Valley fever doesn’t cause symptoms or symptoms go away on their own.
- Rarely, you can have ongoing lung issues or serious illness.
- Only about 1% of those who are symptomatic go on to develop severe disease.
