Accordingly, how common is valley fever in Arizona?
Valley fever is common in the southwestern United States. In the U.S., over 65 percent of all valley fever cases occur in Arizona, and 30 percent occur in California. Most other cases occur in Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. Valley fever is a risk for people who live in these states but also for people who visit there.
Furthermore, can you get valley fever in Arizona? Valley Fever is a fungal infection of the southwestern United States caused by breathing in spores of the fungus Coccidiodes (kok-sid-e-OY-deeze). Two-thirds of all cases in the nation are reported from Arizona. Reported cases of Valley Fever in Arizona have increased greatly over the last decade.
Simply so, how many cases of valley fever are there?
About 10,000 cases are reported in the United States each year, mostly from Arizona and California. Valley fever can be misdiagnosed because its symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses.
Who is most susceptible to 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.
Can you get disability for Valley Fever?
Valley Fever generally causes a temporary disability, and in its most common forms is not a cause to be unable to work. In cases where permanent disability does arise from Valley Fever, impairment can range from 0% to 100% disability, and in rarer cases may involve a death benefit.What are the symptoms of valley fever in Arizona?
Symptoms of Valley fever include:- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Cough.
- Fever.
- Shortness of breath.
- Headache.
- Night sweats.
- Muscle aches or joint pain.
- Rash on upper body or legs.
How do doctors test for valley fever?
The most common way that healthcare providers test for Valley fever is by taking a blood sample and sending it to a laboratory to look for Coccidioides antibodies or antigens. Healthcare providers may do imaging tests such as chest x-rays or CT scans of your lungs to look for Valley fever pneumonia.What causes valley fever in Arizona?
The fungi that cause valley fever — Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii — thrive in the arid desert soils of southern Arizona, Nevada, northern Mexico and California's San Joaquin Valley. In the soil, they grow as a mold with long filaments that break off into airborne spores when the soil is disturbed.What are the long term effects of Valley Fever?
Most people who have Valley fever will make a full recovery. A small percent of people develop long-term lung infections that can take several years to get better. In very severe cases of Valley fever, the nervous system can be affected and there may be long-term damage, but this is very rare.How dangerous is valley fever?
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. Some strains of Coccidioides, or cocci, for short, are more dangerous than others.How long does it take to recover from Valley Fever?
Individuals who are otherwise healthy will normally recover completely within 6 months. In patients with severe symptoms, complete recovery may take up to a year.What are the symptoms of valley fever in dogs?
Here are some of the symptoms seen in dogs who suffer from Valley Fever:- Fever.
- Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or difficulty breathing.
- Coughing.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weakness.
- Lethargy.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
