(also known as '''Valley fever''' and '''California valley fever''') is a
Fungal disease caused by ''
Coccidioides Immitis '' or ''
C. Posadasii ''. It is
Endemic in certain parts of
Arizona ,
California ,
Nevada ,
New Mexico ,
Texas ,
Utah and northwestern
Mexico .
''C. immitis'' resides in the soil in certain parts of the southwestern
United States , northern Mexico, and a few other areas in the
Western Hemisphere . Infection is caused by inhalation of airborne, fungal particles known as
Arthroconidia , which are a form of
Spore . The disease is not transmitted from person to person.
Symptomatic infection (40% of cases) usually presents as an
Influenza -like illness with fever, cough, headaches,
Rash , and
Myalgia (muscle pain). Some patients fail to recover and develop chronic pulmonary infection or widespread disseminated infection (affecting
Meninges , soft tissues, joints, and bone). Severe pulmonary disease may develop in
HIV -infected persons.
