Complete Information on Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioides immitis, which is frequently establish in desert regions. It is indigenous in sure parts of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and western Mexico. Coccidioidomycosis is sometimes called San Joaquin fever, valley fever, or desert fever because of its prevalence in the agriculture valleys of California. Chronic infections happen in simply one out of every 100,000 folk. People of any age can have coccidioidomycosis, but the disease almost usually occurs in the 25-55 age group.

In its acute form, coccidioidomycosis infects men and women equally. Coccidioidomycosis may affect anyone, but if you are pregnant or your immune system is weak, you are especially vulnerable. The disease tends to be more serious in dark-skinned people. The disease can have an acute, chronic, or disseminated form. Acute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is almost always mild. Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis can develop 20 or more years after initial infection which may not have been recognized, diagnosed, or treated at the time. Infections (lung abscesses) can form and rupture releasing pus between the lungs and ribs (pleural space).

In disseminated disease, spread of infection to the bones, lungs, liver, meninges, brain, skin, heart, and pericardium (sac around the heart) may take place. Meningitis occurs in 30-50% of cases of disseminated disease. The course of the disease may be rapid for immunosuppressed patients. Persons in areas with endemic disease who have occupations exposing them to dust (e.g., construction or agricultural workers, and archeologists). High risk groups are African-Americans and Asians, pregnant women during the third trimester, and immunocompromised persons. Congenital infection is rarely a factor in childhood coccidioidomycosis.

Bedrest and handling of flu-like symptoms until fever disappears may be recommended. For serious cases, antifungal medications are needed. Individuals with chronic liberal fibrocavitary pneumonia may be treated with prolonged azole therapy. Persons with liberal pulmonary disease not responding to medical therapy with oral azoles may gain from a high dosage of azole, an option azole, or amphotericin B and/or postoperative resection. General upkeep of better health will restrict the disease to a harmless pulmonary kind. Other causes of harm to the exempt structure will mostly forbid the more serious forms of the disease.