How do you get Valley Fever?

How do you get Valley Fever?

People can get Valley fever by breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air, although most people who breathe in the spores don’t get sick. Usually, people who get sick with Valley fever will get better on their own within weeks to months, but some people will need antifungal medication.

What are the symptoms of valley fever in Arizona?

Symptoms of Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Cough.
• Fever.
• Shortness of breath.
• Headache.
• Night sweats.
• Muscle aches or joint pain.
• Rash on upper body or legs.

Can Valley Fever be cured?

Mild cases of valley fever usually resolve on their own. In more-severe cases, doctors treat the infection with antifungal medications.

What does valley fever do to your lungs?

Most people struck with Valley Fever recover on their own. Some patients, like Pierce, develop lung nodules, which are small patches of infection in the lungs that can be mistaken for lung cancer.

Who is at risk for Valley Fever?

Valley fever can affect people of any age, but it’s most common in adults aged 60 and older. Certain groups of people may be at higher risk for developing the severe forms of Valley fever, such as: People who have weakened immune systems, for example, people who: Have HIV/AIDS.

How does valley fever affect the brain?

When valley fever spreads in the body, about one out of four people get meningitis. This is a disease where the outer layer of the brain and the spinal cord swell. It can often lead to brain damage or death.

Does vitamin C help with Valley Fever?

The first oral Valley Fever drug available and is still in use, almost exclusively as a generic drug. Important characteristics: Requires an acidic environment for absorption from the GI tract, it is often administered with Vitamin C to aid in absorption.

How does valley fever affect the body?

It happens when the infection spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. It can affect many organs, and particularly the skin, liver, brain, bones, meninges, and heart. Signs and symptoms vary depending on which parts of the body are affected.

What does a valley fever rash look like?

What is Valley Fever Skin rash like? Valley Fever can cause rashes that look several different ways. A common presentation is as painful or tender, slightly elevated red nodules or bumps, which may change color to bluish to brown and often occur on the legs, but may occur on the chest, arms and back.

Where is Valley Fever most common?

While rare at a national level, Valley Fever is common in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Every year, 150,000 people in the U.S. are infected, and Arizona is home to two-thirds of them.

Can you exercise with Valley Fever?

Lauer suggests runners and walkers take their workouts indoors, or at the least don a protective mask, on windy, dusty days during Valley Fever season, which runs from late summer to fall.

Who is more at risk for catching Valley Fever Why?

Who is most at risk for getting Valley fever? Anyone who breathes in the fungus can become infected, but Valley fever is most common in adults over age 60. People who have recently traveled or moved to an area where the fungus lives may be more likely to get the infection.

How long does it take for fluconazole to work for Valley Fever?

Although the treatment with Fluconazole could be prolonged, it is usually seen that pets start feeling better within 1-2 weeks, after the treatment begins. Other antifungals are used to treat Valley Fever as well including Ketoconazole, and Itraconazole.

Does Valley Fever ever leave your body?

Most people don’t get sick. And when valley fever symptoms do appear, they usually go away on their own. If not, there are medicines that can typically clear them up. But in rare cases, the fungus spreads to other parts of the body.

What is the best treatment for valley fever?

Antifungal medication is typically given to people who are at higher risk for developing severe Valley fever. The treatment is usually 3 to 6 months of fluconazole or another type of antifungal medication. There are no over-the-counter medications to treat Valley fever.

What happens if valley fever goes untreated?

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.

When do people get San Joaquin Valley fever?

The severe form of valley fever may develop a few weeks, months or sometimes years after the primary infection, and it may develop even after leaving the area where the fungi live.

Does CBD help Valley Fever?

Supplemental treatments, including cough suppressants and even CBD oil, have been documented to help dogs with the symptoms of valley fever. CBD oil, or cannabidiol, is extracted from hemp plants and is used to reduce pain and inflammation.