Half of valley fever infections come from Maricopa County: Here’s what you need to know

A haboob hit the Phoenix area on Thursday causing power outages and damage to residences. As of Friday morning, there were still thousands of SRP and ARP customers without power. The dust storm was a reminder about how more and more desert dirt will be blown through the air this summer.

But that’s not the only thing being kicked up when a wall of dust rolls through.

Those dust storms can kick up dirt and soil that carry fungal spores called Coccidioides, or cocci. Found in Arizona desert soil, they can cause valley fever, a potentially serious lung infection. One-half of valley fever cases are from Maricopa County.

Every year on average, more than 20,000 people in the U.S. are infected, and Arizona is home to two-thirds of those cases. But 60% of people have no symptoms or very mild flu-like symptoms and do not see a doctor, therefore, they do not make it into the statistics.

Here is what you need to know about valley fever to stay informed and to stay safe.

What is valley fever?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people can get valley fever by breathing in microscopic fungal spores from the air. The CDC said most people who breathe in these spores don’t get sick and even if they do they will get better on their own after a few weeks or months.

The CDC said some people are at higher risk for becoming severely ill when they get valley Fever: such as pregnant individuals, people with weakened immune systems, certain racial groups and people with diabetes. Some people who get valley fever will need to go on antifungal medication according to the CDC.

People who are at higher risk for getting a severe case of valley fever should try to avoid breathing in large amounts of dust if they’re in the Southwest according to the CDC.

How many people get valley fever in Arizona every year?

John N. Galgiani, director of UA Valley Fever Center for Excellence and director of Banner University Health Valley Fever Program, said in an Arizona Republic guest column that one-half of all U.S. Valley fever infections come from Maricopa County. In the past month, about 30% of all Maricopa patients diagnosed with pneumonia had valley fever as the cause of their illness.

“Knowing what symptoms look like, allows persons to ask their doctor to make sure to test them for valley fever when they should,” Galgiani said. “This is important, even in Phoenix, because a doctor may not remember to do this. The risk of infection might increase slightly by a big dust storm but probably most infections occur without one.”

Can I avoid getting valley fever?

Though it is difficult to prevent breathing in the fungus in an area where it is present, the CDC provided these tips for taking precautions against the disease.

• Try to avoid areas with a lot of dust like construction or excavation sites. If you can’t avoid these areas, wear an N95 respirator (a type of face mask) while you’re there.Click for more information about respirators.
• Stay inside during dust storms and close your windows.
• Avoid activities that involve close contact with dirt or dust, including yard work, gardening, and digging.
• Use air filtration measures indoors.
• Clean skin injuries well with soap and water to reduce the chances of developing a skin infection, especially if the wound is exposed to dirt or dust.
• Take preventive antifungal medication if your healthcare provider says you need it.

What are the symptoms of valley fever?

Though some people may get valley fever and never know they have it, the CDC lists the following as symptoms of valley fever.

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Night sweats
• Muscle aches or joint pain
• Rash on upper body or legs

In extremely rare cases, the fungal spores can enter the skin through a cut, wound, or splinter and cause a skin infection.

Is valley fever dangerous?

Some people may never know they have valley fever or will have mild flu-like symptoms. For more severe cases, there is treatment.

According to the CDC, approximately 5-10% of people who get valley fever will develop serious or long-term problems in their lungs. In an even smaller percentage of people (about 1%), the infection spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), skin, or bones and joints

How is valley fever treated?

In order for valley fever to be treated, it has to be diagnosed. According to the CDC, Healthcare providers use laboratory tests to diagnose valley fever. The most common way is to take a blood sample to look for Coccidioides antibodies or antigens.

For many people, valley fever will go away on its own, the CDC said. However, a treatment of 3 to 6 months of fluconazole or another type of antifungal medication may be prescribed for more severe cases.

The CDC said there are no over-the-counter medications to treat valley fever. 

If I have had valley fever before, can I get it again?

According to the CDC, usually not. Your immune system will most likely protect you from getting it again.

Can dogs get valley fever?

Yes, the CDC said pets, particularly dogs, can get valley fever. However, it is not contagious between animals and people. Dogs may cough, have a lack of energy or lose weight. If you suspect your pet may have valley fever the CDC recommends talking to a veterinarian.

According to Galgiani, a vaccine was discovered by the University of Arizona to protect dogs and hopefully humans from valley fever. The dog vaccine is in development by Anivive Lifesciences and may be in veterinary offices by 2024.

Data from the Valley Fever Center for Excellence showed that dogs get valley fever about three to four times more frequently than humans.