Arizona Valley Fever is a fungal infection that is caused by organisms called coccidioides. This ailment causes fever, coughing, and chest pains, which are among the few symptoms that you may get. There are two main species of coccidioides that cause this ailment. The fungi spores can be carried around in the air by anything that can cause a disruption on the soil, for instance, construction, dust storms, and even farming.
Once one breathes the fungi into the lungs, then you may actually get valley fever, but it is not automatic. The ailment can resolve itself in mild cases, but in severe cases, doctors treat the patient using antifungal medication. There is so much that you need to know about this ailment that includes:
Who Can Get Arizona Valley Fever
ANYONE who resides or travels to Arizona can get valley fever. People of all ages can be affected, but there is a prevalence among people who are sixty and older. However, the risk of getting the ailment is only high if you are going to visit an area that is very dusty. There are people prone to getting the disease, and they include:
- Pregnant women.
- People who have a weakened immune system.
- People who have diabetes.
PETS can also get valley fever. The symptoms of the fever in pets are similar to that of humans. However, you need not worry, and the ailment is not contiguous between your pets and you. However, it can be severe, and it causes a lack of energy, coughing, and even weight loss. If you notice that your pet has these symptoms, it would be advisable to take the animal to a veterinarian so they can be looked at and treated if need be.
There are lots of questions about whether one can get the ailment if they have had it before. In the majority of cases, after you have gotten this ailment, your body develops resistance, but there are very few cases where people have contracted the ailment for a second time. So what are the common symptoms of this ailment?
Symptoms of Valley Fever Arizona
Acute Valley Fever
The symptoms of the ailment vary according to how severe the ailment is. When the ailment is acute, the symptoms will begin to manifest in three weeks after you have been exposed. You may think that you have the flu because the symptoms resemble each other. The severities of the symptoms vary from one patient to another, and they include:
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Joint aches
- Chills
- Cough
- Fatigue
Chronic Valley Fever
- Red, spotty rash- These rashes are red and painful. With time these rashes may turn to brown. They will appear on the lower legs, chest, and arms and at times at the back.
- Fever
- Night sweats
If you get an infection and it does not resolve completely, it can progress to chronic valley fever. The chronic stage is common among people who have a weakened immune system. The common symptoms and signs include:
- Nodules on the lungs
- Chest pain
- Blood-tinged sputum (matter discharged during coughing)
- Weight loss
- Low-grade fever
- Cough
Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis
This ailment can progress into disseminated coccidioidomycosis. This is when the infection shifts from the lungs to other areas of the body. It can infect the membranes protecting the brain, spinal cord, bones, liver, and skin. The symptoms of disseminated coccidioidomycosis include:
- Meningitis
- Swollen joints
- Lesions in the spine and skull that can be really painful
- Ulcers, skin lesions and nodules that are more severe than the rush that was at the initial stage of the ailment
How Do You Get the Disease?
Valley Fever Arizona is caused by fungi (Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii). It is common in areas that have arid desert soils such as is in Arizona. The fungus grows like mold in the soil. It has long filaments that easily break into spores that can then become airborne. However, they only break when the soil is disturbed. These spores are small in size and they are carried by the wind with ease. If you inhale the spores and they enter into your lungs, they reproduce, and this propels the cycle of the ailment.
How Can You Prevent Exposure
It is difficult to avoid exposure, particularly if you are in an area where the fungus is prevalent in the environment. However, you can take a few steps to try and avoid getting the ailment, and they include:
- Avoid areas that are dusty, if you have to be in this environment use a face mask.
- When there is a dust storm, stay indoors.
- Buy and use air filtration systems.
- Take anti-fungal medication.
- Avoid any activity that requires you to be in close contact with dust and dirt such as farming.
It should be noted that there have not yet been studies that have proven that these methods will prevent you from getting the ailment 100 percent. Unfortunately, there is also no vaccine that has been developed to prevent the chances of getting this ailment.
Percentage of People Who Get Valley Fever In Arizona
The cases in Arizona have really increased over the years. According to Galgiani et al. (2012), there are approximately 150,00 people who are affected by this fever, but Arizona has the highest cases. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2006, 60% of the cases reported in the United States come from Arizona.
Treatment of Valley Fever Arizona
A majority of patients who have this ailment are found to have respiratory tract infections, and most of these infections resolve by themselves. The doctor can tell when you have this ailment by identifying the symptoms.
If they suspect that a patient may be suffering from the valley fever, they conduct specific tests for coccidioides spherules in saliva, tissue, or in the blood. These tests can include a sputum smear test, blood test, or even Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) urine test (Dierberg et, 2012).
If you are diagnosed and found to have valley fever, you are required to rest and hydrate. In most cases, this is adequate, and you may not need further treatment. However, at this time, you should be monitored.
There are cases where a patient may be required to take anti-fungal medication. These include:
- When the patient has a weak immune system because of an ailment.
- When a patient has diabetes.
- When the patient is pregnant.
- When the patient is African or Filipino.
These individuals are required to take medication because the ailment may get severe. In most cases, the medication that is used in the treatment of this ailment is Fluconazole and Itraconazole. When the ailment is severe, the patient may be required to go through Amphotericin treatment intravenously. The medication can have effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, and or vomiting.
It is important to note that the medication given controls the ailment, but you are still at the risk of contracting the ailment a second time if you are exposed to the fungi.
Complications That May Arise From the Disease
There are very rare cases when a patient can develop complications. But some of the complications that have been reported include:
- A severe case of pneumonia.
- Cavities in the lungs.
- Rapturing of lung nodules.
These complications are most common among patients who have weak immunity.
Valley fever is common in Arizona because of its climatic conditions. There are many people who get this ailment, but they only get exposed when there is a disruption of the soil. Although the ailment is common in Arizona, it also affects people in other areas in the United States.
Once you are affected by the ailment, you should see a doctor so that they can diagnose the ailment and offer you treatment where need be. If you are wondering how to tell if you have had exposure or if you are at risk of getting valley fever and the necessary steps to take after you have gotten exposed and after you are sick, read the article.
References
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