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Arizona saw a surge in valley fever cases; Know the symptoms and complications of infection
Valley fever cases in Arizona have increased by 45% compared to last year, to nearly 4,000 cases. While most cases are mild, some patients develop severe disease and die. Also known as coccidioidomycosis, read on to know the symptoms and complications of valley fever.
Arizona sees a rise in valley fever cases
With the onset of winter, seasonal diseases are increasing and their cases have also increased. valley feverCases of fungal infections are on the rise across the Southwest. According to a USA Today report, infections in Arizona have increased by 45% compared to last year, an increase of nearly 4,000 cases. Cases in California have increased by nearly 600 since last year.
While most cases are mild, some patients develop severe disease and die. The signs and symptoms of infection are difficult to recognize and there is no vaccine to prevent it.
What is valley fever?
Also known as coccidioidomycosis, it is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides. It can cause signs and symptoms such as fever, cough and fatigue.
There are two Coccidioides fungal species that cause valley fever. These fungi are usually found in the soil of specific areas. The spores of the fungus can spread through anything that disturbs the soil, such as farming, construction, and wind.
People can then breathe the fungus into their lungs. The fungus can cause valley fever, also known as acute coccidioidomycosis. Mild cases of valley fever usually resolve on their own. In severe cases, doctors treat the infection with antifungal medications.
symptoms of valley fever
Valley fever is the initial form of coccidioidomycosis infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, this initial, acute illness can develop into more serious disease, including chronic and disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
Here, take a look at some of the symptoms of acute coccidioidomycosis, better known as valley fever.
- Fever
- cough
- Tiredness
- difficulty breathing
- Headache
- feeling cold
- night sweats
- Joint pain and muscle pain
- Red, blotchy rash, mainly on the lower legs but sometimes also on the chest, arms, and back
chronic coccidioidomycosis
Here, take a look at some of the symptoms of chronic coccidioidomycosis
- low grade fever
- weight loss
- cough
- chest pain
- bloody sputum
- Lumps in the lungs.
disseminated coccidioidomycosis
This is the most severe form of the disease and is rare. This occurs when the infection spreads beyond the lungs to other parts of the body. Here, take a look at the signs and symptoms of disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
- Lumps, ulcers, and skin lesions that are sometimes more severe than the rash that accompanied the initial infection
- Painful lesions in the skull, spine, or other bones
- Pain, swelling in joints, especially in the knees or ankles
- Meningitis is an infection of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Complications of Valley Fever
Here, a look at some of the complications of valley fever, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Severe pneumonia: Most people recover from coccidioidomycosis-related pneumonia without any complications. Others may become seriously ill.
- Ruptured lung nodules: A small percentage of people develop thin-walled cysts (cavities) in their lungs. Some of these may burst, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing.
- Spread disease: This is the most serious complication of coccidioidomycosis but is rare. If the fungus spreads throughout the body, it can cause problems including skin ulcers, boils, bone lesions, severe joint pain, heart inflammation, urinary tract problems, and meningitis.
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