What is Valley Fever?
Valley fever is a lung infection caused by a fungus that lives in the top 12 inches of soil. We may breathe in the fungus, which is too small to see with our eyes, when the soil is disturbed. The fungus that causes Valley fever is common in Arizona, California, and Nevada. In fact, nearly all cases of Valley fever in the US are in people in Arizona and California. In California, Valley fever is especially prevalent in the Central Valley and Central Coast.
What are the symptoms and treatment of Valley fever?
Symptoms of Valley fever include cough, fever, tiredness, headaches, rash, joint or muscle pain, night sweats, and weight loss. Most people who have Valley fever get better on their own within a few weeks. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. However, Valley fever can be more severe for others, especially infants, elderly adults, pregnant women, and people with health conditions such as diabetes and cancer. Valley fever can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms can be similar to other respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. A doctor may need to do a blood test or chest x-ray to confirm Valley fever. After diagnosis, Valley fever can be treated with antifungal medication.
It is important to know that Valley fever cannot pass from person to person. In other words, if you get sick with Valley fever, another person cannot catch Valley fever from you.
What is my risk of getting Valley fever?
The risk of exposure to Valley fever is increasing because of the increasingly hot, dry weather due to climate change. There are at least 10,000 to 20,000 cases of Valley fever annually, but the number of cases is increasing each year.
Farmworkers are at risk of getting Valley fever, especially when digging in soil, operating heavy machinery, or working in windy conditions.
How do I limit my exposure to Valley fever?
Valley fever is difficult to prevent, and there are currently no vaccines. People who work outdoors have a higher risk of being infected with Valley fever.
To protect yourself, you can:
- Avoid dusty outdoor areas.
- Limit time outside during dry, dusty, or windy periods.
- Wear an N95 respirator when working outdoors with soil or in dusty places.
- Wet down dirt and soil before working or playing outside to help prevent dust going in the air.
- Cover dirt piles with a tarp.
- Avoid working outdoors during heavy winds.