What is a Valley Fever test/titer and what does it mean?
Valley FeverA Valley Fever test, Cocci test, or Cocci titer checks the blood to see if your dog is making antibodies against the Valley Fever fungus. If the test is positive, it means your dog has been exposed to the fungus. If the Valley Fever test is positive, the laboratory then performs a titer. The titer measures how much antibody your dog is making against the fungus. A titer is obtained by doubling dilutions of the positive blood (1:4, 1:8, 1:16, 1:32 . . .) until the test becomes negative.
Related QuestionsWhat 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 QuestionsWhen does my dog need a Valley Fever test?
Valley FeverIf your dog lives in a region where Valley Fever is typical, your dog could need a Valley Fever test for any illness that manifests the common clinical signs - coughing, fever, weight loss, etc. In addition, your dog will need some serum chemistries and white blood cell counts and sometimes x-rays to aid in diagnosing the illness. A positive test in and of itself is often not enough to diagnose Valley Fever.
Related QuestionsI know someone who died from Valley Fever. If I contract it, does that mean I’ll die too?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsEvery case can be different. Remember that Valley Fever may not cause any problems initially and some cases resolve without the need for medication. Obtaining prompt medical care and early diagnosis may prevent dissemination and some of Valley Fever's worst health problems. While a lower number on the Valley Fever complement fixation titer often means that the patient's symptoms are improving, the link is not absolute.
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 QuestionsWhat does immunocompromised mean? How does this affect a Valley Fever infection?
FAQA person is immunocompromised when his or her immune system (the body's defense against disease) is not intact. This may be the result of diabetes, chronic use of corticosteroids, cancer, chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS, organ transplantation, pregnancy or even aging. Usually the body is able to fight the fungus and recover without medication. If the immune system is compromised, it is unable to control the infection and allows the infection to spread from the lungs to other organs.
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 QuestionsWill a skin test diagnose Valley Fever?
FAQNo, a skin test alone is not helpful in most cases. A skin test for cocci (usually called coccidioidin or spherulin) indicates exposure to the fungus, but not when it happened. Reactivity is lifelong. An individual living in an endemic area and having a positive skin test could have been exposed years before being tested. However, a positive skin test on a patient from a non-endemic area, having recently returned from the Southwest or other endemic areas, probably would indicate recent exposure.
Related QuestionsWhat does my test result mean?
Hepatitis C Check - Frequently Asked QuestionsThere are 4 possible test results: "negative", "positive", "indeterminate", or "result not available." A "negative" test result means antibodies to the hepatitis C virus were not found in your test sample and it is extremely unlikely that you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus.
Related QuestionsFAQValley 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
Boxer Mailing List Valley Fever Faq'sValley Fever is a disease caused by a fungus, Coccidioides immitis, which exists as a mold found in the soil. Working the soil (ie: construction, gardening) will increase the chances of coming in contact with the fungus. Also, dogs that dig are more prone because they are breathing in all the dirt as they dig.Related Questions
VoyForums: 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
What is the Lyme Titer test?
Services - FAQs - Vancouver Neurologists, P.S.A Lyme disease blood test detects antibodies to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose because it’s symptoms are the same as those present in other illnesses. Antibody tests can sometimes be sued to help confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease. There is no special preparation for this test.
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 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 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.
Related QuestionsWho is at the greatest risk for the worst Valley Fever infections?
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com - Frequently Asked QuestionsSenior citizens and young children under five years old, people with immune disorders like HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, diabetics, pregnant women, and some races (particularly blacks and Filipinos) have historically been known to have the worst cases. However, it is important to repeat that ANYONE can have a severe or fatal infection no matter how healthy they are and even if they don't have any risk factors.
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 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.
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