Definition:
Valley fever is usually caused by fungi that reside in the soil. These fungi can enter the human body in cases where in the soil is stirred like farming or construction and wind and it can be breathed in by an individual. Valley fever is a type of coccidioidomycosis or cocci infection.
Diagnosis:
Sputum smear or culture
Blood test
Treatment:
Bed rest and fluids for acute valley fever
Prescirbed antifungal medication like fluconazole and itraconazoleif there are complications
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms is evident after three weeks of exposure which are fever, cough, chest pain, chills, night sweats, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, joint aches and red, spotty rash.
Causes:
Valley fever is caused by the fungi Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii mostly found in the desert soils of Southern Arizona, Northern Mexico and San Joaquin Valley in California.
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