Health officials in California are sounding alarms over a rise in potentially deadly fungal infections.
As of July this year, there have been 6,761 reported cases of valley fever, also referred to as coccidioidomycosis. This number suggests that the state may approach last year’s total of 12,595 cases.
Back in 2000, records show there were fewer than 1,000 cases. Nowadays, valley fever leads to around 80 fatalities and over 1,000 hospitalizations annually in California.
Activities that disturb the soil, like wind, construction, agricultural practices, gardening, and even sandstorms, can release tiny coccidioid spores into the atmosphere. Inhaling these spores can result in valley fever.
Shawn Yang, who is the director of molecular microbiology and pathogen genomics at UCLA’s School of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, attributes this uptick to the increasingly common mild, wet winters in California. He mentioned that this pattern creates ideal conditions for the fungus to flourish.
It’s interesting how the name “valley fever” actually comes from its early identification in the San Joaquin Valley, located in Central California.
What is valley fever?
Valley fever is caused by two species of coccidioid fungi: coccidioides immitis and coccidioides posadasii.
Aside from the San Joaquin Valley, these fungi can also be found in desert soils across Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, parts of Washington, and even in northern Mexico as well as Central and South America.
As previously noted, soil-disturbing activities can release spores into the air, which people may then breathe in, leading to valley fever.
If an initial infection doesn’t resolve completely, it could escalate to pneumonia or disseminated coccidioidomycosis, a condition in which the infection spreads from the lungs to other areas like the skin, bones, joints, or even the brain.
What are the symptoms?
For many, valley fever is a mild illness and might not produce noticeable symptoms. However, those who do have symptoms usually experience flu-like effects one to three weeks after being exposed to the fungus.
Common symptoms may include:
- Fever
- A cough that might bring up blood or mucus
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Cold
- Night sweats
- Pain in the joints and muscles
- A rash, often on the legs but sometimes on the chest, arms, or back
Is valley fever contagious?
No, valley fever is not contagious. It doesn’t spread from person to person or from animals to humans.
How to test for valley fever
If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms that linger for more than a week, especially if you’ve recently moved to or reside in an area where valley fever is prevalent, it’s wise to consult a medical professional.
Mayo Clinic suggests that individuals over 60, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, or people of Filipino or African descent should see a doctor if concerned.
Blood tests are commonly used to diagnose valley fever by detecting antibodies against the coccidioid fungi.
While imaging can visualize lung infections, severe cases might necessitate a lung tissue biopsy.
How to treat fungal infections
In many instances, valley fever resolves on its own without needing treatment. However, in more severe cases, doctors may prescribe antifungal medications for 3 to 6 months.
If the infection is severe or spreads elsewhere in the body, hospitalization may be necessary, according to the CDC.
In rare situations, surgery might be needed to remove infected tissue from the lungs.
