How long does it take for Valley fever to go away?
The symptoms of Valley fever usually last for a few weeks to a few months. However, some patients have symptoms that last longer than this, especially if the infection becomes severe. Approximately 5 to 10% of people who get Valley fever will develop serious or long-term problems in their lungs.
What happens if Valley fever goes untreated?
For many, the symptoms will disappear on their own. But for some, untreated Valley Fever can lead to chronic fatigue, severe weight loss, pneumonia, meningitis or even death.
What are symptoms of Valley fever in humans?
Acute coccidioidomycosis (valley fever)Fever.Cough.Tiredness.Shortness of breath.Headache.Chills.Night sweats.Joint aches and muscle soreness.More items...•
What is the most commonly used drug to treat Valley fever?
The antifungal drugs fluconazole (Diflucan) or itraconazole (Sporanox, Onmel, Tolsura) are generally used for all but the most serious forms of coccidioidomycosis disease.
Does Valley fever damage your lungs?
Without treatment, valley fever that has spread beyond the lungs is usually fatal. In low-risk patients, the form that is limited to the lungs usually does not require treatment. Treatment may include: Antifungal drugs, such as fluconazole or amphotericin B.
Do antibiotics help Valley fever?
People who get Valley fever are often misdiagnosed with bacterial pneumonia and given antibiotics. However, Valley fever is caused by a fungus, so antibiotics will not work.
Does Valley fever show up on xray?
The changes in bones and joints due to Valley Fever can be seen on x-rays and in CT-scans of the affected body part. Meningitis is the most serious and lethal complication of disseminated disease.
How do they test for Valley fever?
The most common way that healthcare providers test for Valley fever is by taking a blood sample and sending it to a laboratory to look for Coccidioides antibodies or antigens. Healthcare providers may do imaging tests such as chest x-rays or CT scans of your lungs to look for Valley fever pneumonia.
Who is most likely to get Valley fever?
Anyone who lives in or travels to the southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, or Utah), or parts of Mexico or Central or South America can get Valley fever. Valley fever can affect people of any age, but it's most common in adults aged 60 and older.
Does valley fever affect the liver?
This is the most serious form of valley fever. It happens when the infection spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. It can affect many organs, and particularly the skin, liver, brain, bones, meninges, and heart.
What side effects does fluconazole have?
Side EffectsChest tightness.clay-colored stools.difficulty with swallowing.fast heartbeat.hives, itching, or skin rash.large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals.light-colored stools.stomach pain, continuing.More items...•
How accurate is the blood test for valley fever?
Researchers say it can return nearly 100 percent accurate results in under two hours. It's a breakthrough for the orphan disease, which has historically seen little funding for research, even as case counts have spiked over the last two years.