I live in an endemic zone and was told Valley Fever was a benign disease. Is that true?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsIt can make you sick, cause fungal abscesses or lesions, debilitate you, cripple you for life, or kill you. It can be unbearably painful and is definitely not a benign disease. Since Valley Fever is initially asymptomatic in under 50% of the people it infects, since the disease causes such a wide variety of symptoms, and since it is misdiagnosed so frequently and can activate or reactivate decades after the initial infection, the actual toll of Valley Fever is difficult to measure.
Related QuestionsI don't live in an endemic area, but I need a Valley Fever specialist. How do I find one?
What is Valley FeverCall the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at (520) 629-4777 and we will try to find a referral physician for you.
Related QuestionsIs Valley Fever worse in some endemic states than others?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsYes. Historically, Arizona had 65% of America's diagnosed Valley Fever cases, primarily in Maricopa and Pima Counties (Phoenix and Tucson) -- where the bulk of Arizona's population lives. Infection rates are also particularly high in Kern County and other parts of California. Bakersfield has been considered "hyperendemic." Coccidioidomycosis was nicknamed "San Joaquin Valley Fever" because California's San Joaquin Valley is considered highly endemic.
Related QuestionsIf I already have Valley Fever, do I have a lifetime immunity to the disease?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsOnce a person is infected with Valley Fever an immune resistance takes effect in the body, but this does not mean "immunity" in the sense that a person could never suffer from the disease again. Not only have reactivations occurred in many cases, but it has been proven that even "immune" hosts can suffer a severe case of cocci if they inhale enough additional spores. Doctors can not tell the difference between a reactivation and a reinfection.
Related QuestionsDid I contract Valley Fever because I have another disease?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. People contract the disease simply by inhaling a Coccidioides sp. spore. Some diseases are more likely to allow a Valley Fever case to be more severe, but everyone can contract Valley Fever because everyone needs to breathe.
Related QuestionsWhat is Valley Fever?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsValley Fever is the common name for the parasitic fungal disease coccidioidomycosis. Updated statistics show that Valley Fever causes symptoms in over half of the people who are infected (Cole GT, Xue JM, Okeke CN, Tarcha EJ, Basrur V, Schaller RA, Herr RA, Yu JJ, Hung CY. A vaccine against coccidioidomycosis is justified and attainable. Med Mycol. 2004 Jun;42(3):189-216).
Related QuestionsDo the state governments where Valley Fever is contracted know about this disease?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsThe Valley Fever Center for Excellence has sent information to all United States Senators. The endemic states’ legislators all know about this disease as well.
Related QuestionsWho can contract Valley Fever?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsAny person or mammal can contract Valley Fever, regardless of age or health. It has been an epidemic in humans for years. All it takes is inhaling one spore.
Related QuestionsIs there a vaccine for Valley Fever?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsThe Valley Fever Vaccine Project and Dr. Cole at the UTSA are each working on vaccines and have been for many years. However, they are facing budgetary difficulties. Find out how to donate to them through our Links Page.
Related QuestionsWhat can I do to protect myself from Valley Fever?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsAvoid going to any endemic region. However, if you live in or visit an endemic area to Coccidioides sp., read our Dawn To Dusk Page to see what you can do to recognize the danger signs. Sometimes fungi like C. immitis and C. posadasii can rest on inanimate objects like clothing, pottery, blankets, packing material, or even in the soil of potted plants, etc. and these products could be shipped elsewhere with the biohazard intact.
Related QuestionsFAQs about the Desert - Frequently Asked QuestionsValley fever is a usually mild (but sometimes serious) disease caused by a fungus that lives in desert soils. Valley fever, technically called coccidioidomycosis, or cocci (KOK-see) for short, is caused by the soil fungus Coccidioides immitis (sidebar). Microscopic spores produced by the fungus are released into the air when the ground is disturbed, and can infect people who inhale them. Some wild and domestic animals can get cocci, too.Related Questions
FAQValley Fever (medical name coccidioidomycosis or "cocci" for short) is an infection in the lungs caused by a fungus (scientific name Coccidioides immitis) that grows in the soil in the southern and central portions of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and the southern portions of Nevada and Utah. Valley Fever is also found in parts of Mexico, Central and South America. These areas where the fungus grows in the soil are called endemic.Related Questions
What can a doctor do to test for Valley Fever?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsThere are a variety of blood tests for Valley Fever, the most useful of which is a Complement Fixation titer. A titer is a blood test that checks to see if your body is producing antibodies to VF. Titer tests are often negative months after the first Valley Fever symptoms have appeared, even in chronic cases. Some people who are infected may never show titers, regardless of severity. Sometimes the titer can be useful in other fluids than blood for a more specific diagnosis.
Related QuestionsVoyForums: OLDE ENGLISH BULLDOGGESValley Fever is a lung infection. A fungus becomes airborne when dust around construction areas and agricultural areas is transported by the wind. When spores are inhaled, Valley Fever can result. The medical name for Valley Fever is coccidioidomycosis. Looking for a OEB in the Pennsylvania area. Willing to drive a good ways to find one at a good price. Good family home, just my wife and I. Nice size backyard and a lot of Love.Related Questions
a) Do I live or vacation in a Lyme disease-endemic area (an area of high incidence or high risk)?
American Lyme Disease FoundationIf you answered yes to only one of these questions, your risk of tick exposure is low. If you answered yes to both a) and any one of the other questions, your risk of exposure is high and you should take steps to prevent tick bites.
Related QuestionsWhat is screening for benign breast disease?
Breast Health FAQs - NeoMatrixWe know 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, but, to date, it has been very difficult to identify who is at risk. Current risk models are good at identifying populations at risk, but that does not help the specific patient understand her risk. Further, 8 out of 9 women that develop breast cancer will not have a direct relative with the disease. In other words, most women who develop cancer are not traditionally defined as "high risk" for the disease.
Related QuestionsI've been told that migraines are a psychological disease. Is this true?
Migraine Clinic FAQ'sNo. Most people will suffer from headache at some time during their lives and these can usually be resolved with a couple of simple painkillers, a short rest or something to eat. A migraine can be much more debilitating. Symptoms can include visual disturbances such as flashing lights, zig zag patterns or blind spots in the vision, an intense throbbing headache, often on one side of the head only, nausea and vomiting and increased sensitivity to light, noise and strong smells.
Related QuestionsHow many ways are there that a person or animal could contract Valley Fever?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsAccidental infection when people working with live spores have injected themselves with Coccidioides. This usually occurs with scientists, but has even happened to a mortician who prepared a Valley Fever victim's body. No. Once a person or animal has contracted Valley Fever, the infection remains for life.
Related QuestionsHow can I find a doctor in my area that knows about Valley Fever?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsThere was a time when you could contact the Valley Fever Center for Excellence to get recommendations for doctors. Unfortunately in 2004 they had informed us this is no longer the case. The best we can suggest is that you should interview pulmonologists and infectious disease doctors in your local area and ask them how many people with coccidioidomycosis they have treated successfully.
Related QuestionsI have Valley Fever and can’t afford my medication. What can I do?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsIn the short term, inform your doctor that you can’t afford the antifungal medication and ask if he or she may be able to give you free samples of the drugs you require. To continue receiving medication, consider the Partnership for Prescription Assistance or the Pfizer Philanthropy Program accessible through our Links Page. Your doctor may need to be the one to contact these groups in order for you to qualify for the programs.
Related QuestionsMy pet has Valley Fever and I can't afford the medication. What can I do?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked Questionswith human patients, a veterinarian may be able to provide samples. If more help is needed IMOM may be able to help. This organization's web site can be accessed from our Links Page. Yes, often with lung lesions that are misdiagnosed as cancer, surgically cut out of the lung, and then diagnosed as Valley Fever after the fact. This causes a great deal of unnecessary pain on the patient's body and stress in personal relationships.
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