Question 1

what sort of disease is coccidiomycosis?

Accepted Answer

Fungal disease: Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease that occurs in dry desert environments like the southwest U.S. You get it by breathing fungal particles from soil.  The infection starts in the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body including the joints, skin, or lymph nodes.  It can cause meningitis.  Also known as "valley fever", it may go away on its own or need treatment with antifungal drugs.

Question 2

what are the consequences of having coccidiomycosis?

Accepted Answer

Valley Fever: Coccidioidomycosis or valley fever is a fungal infection common in the southwest United States.  60% of those infected have no symptoms.  Those that do have flu-like symptoms.  Most fully recover without any lasting effects.  A few may develop a chronic lung infection or a widespread infection and need treatment.

Question 3

how can you make sure you don't get coccidiomycosis?

Accepted Answer

Avoid San Joaquin: Valley and other areas of the southwest & northern mexico where the mold, coccidioidomycosis immitis is found. The high frequency of cases in central california led to the name "valley fever". C. Immitis is dormant in dry weather & becomes active in the rainy season. So you can probably visit fresno in the summer. Anyone is susceptible. Half the folks living in endemic areas have been infected.

Question 4

are some people more prone to getting coccidiomycosis?

Accepted Answer

Where u live counts: Coccidiomycosis is endemic (meaning it is found commonly in the environment) in the central valley of california, particularly if you dig up the soil (gardeners, archeologists, etc.).

Question 5

how bad can a person get when they have coccidiomycosis?

Accepted Answer

It can be deadly: Usually mild, in people with weak immune systems or sometimes in normal hosts, it can be a severe or even deadly disease.

Question 6

what is the definition or description of: coccidiomycosis?

Accepted Answer

A fungus: It is a fungus found in  in the southwest whose spores if inhaled can cause various forms of respiratory illness- most often benign in nature, and self limited. Other names for this illness  are desert or valley fever.

Question 7

my brother has coccidiomycosis. should i be worried about this?

Accepted Answer

Valley Fever: For yourself, no. For your brother it depends on whether he has a mild or complicated case. Coccidioidomycosis aka valley fever is an infection caused by inhaling the microscopic spores of the fungus coccidioides immitis. The lungs are the primary organ of involvement. Try this website for comprehensive information http://www.Valley-fever.Org/.

Question 8

can my local primary care doctor treat coccidiomycosis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: But do you really have the disease? Did they perform the correct test? If you have the disease, they can easily treat. If they are worried, then an infectious disease specialist might be a better option.

Question 9

how can a person with coccidiomycosis prevent from getting one lung removed?

Accepted Answer

Antifungals: Antifungal medication can take care of most cases of coccidiomycosis. A small % of patients may develop chronic lung problems such as a nodule or cavity in the lungs, or chronic pneumonia. Even in these cases, antifungals over a long period of time (usually at least a yr) are used. Surgery may be required for a ruptured cavity or some lung nodules, but rarely would someone lose an entire lung.

Question 10

what's the battle's sign?

Accepted Answer

Mastoid ecchymosis: It is an indication of  injury to middle cranial fossa due to trauma and the blood may track along the course of the the posterior auricular artery casing  mastoid ecchymosis

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Coccidiomycosis signs

A member asked:

What sort of disease is coccidiomycosis?

A member asked:

What are the consequences of having coccidiomycosis?

A member asked:

How can you make sure you don't get coccidiomycosis?

A member asked:

Are some people more prone to getting coccidiomycosis?

A member asked:

How bad can a person get when they have coccidiomycosis?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: coccidiomycosis?

A member asked:

My brother has coccidiomycosis. should i be worried about this?

A member asked:

Can my local primary care doctor treat coccidiomycosis?

A member asked:

How can a person with coccidiomycosis prevent from getting one lung removed?

A member asked:

What's the battle's sign?

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