Valley Fever (?) - What is that?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 24, 2006

Hello, cclife06,

Check out these links:

http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jul 25, 2006

We say that everybody who lives in AZ for any real amount of time has had Valley fever. I had the skin test and it was way, way positive. When pts come in with it, I always ask how long it has been since they moved here and the answer is usually within 5 years.

However, a friend of mine (native to AZ) just recently developed the disseminated form. This is odd, because we all usually tend to believe that all natives have had it. In fact, her doctors didn't believe it at first because of that fact. But she had it and ended up on Ampho via a PICC line. Not pretty (she was pregnant at the time). She's also on diflucan for life and was told that she could never have any more babies.

I didn't read the links that Siri put up, but they probably mention that the cases of Valley Fever here in AZ have dramatically increased. I believe that it's from all the dusty construction and our drought.

I always say have faith in your immune system. I've seen perfectly healthy people get it, and if you live here for any amount of time you will get it too. Everybody responds differently to diseases. The majority of us never even know that we had it. I believe that the full blown form is pretty rare to get.

VFC · Aug 2, 2006

Hello cclife06, siri, cardiacRN2006,

Although the following information may be alarming, the good news is Valley Fever is now on the radar with the State of Arizona. In addition VFCE (ASU/VA) Dr. Galgiani will begin clinical human trials in the next year with nikkomycin z. Nikkomycin Z has been proven in mice to kill Valley Fever. Dr. Galgiani is the world expert on Valley Fever, VFCE in Tucson, AZ.

Now for some alarming information. More people have died from Valley Fever then West Nile Virus or SARS combined worldwide. Valley Fever has up to a 50% fatality rate for persons of dark skin (phillipino's) and women pregnant in their third trimester. In 1996 the Federal Government labeled Valley Fever a bio terror hazard/weapon. After 9/11 in 2001 the Federal Government upgraded Valley Fever to class 2, equal to the Ebola virus. The State of Arizona has stayed quiet about Valley Fever until 2006. The State of Arizona quietly passed legislation making the State immune to law suits filed beyond the 180th day, after one discovers they have contracted Valley Fever.

[The Arizona Daily Star newspaper in Tucson reported last month that cases of Valley Fever are spiking across the state, with a record 4,000 reported cases possible by the year's end. But a study says the true count could reach 30,000 because many cases of pneumonia are valley fever in disguise, the Daily Star said.]

The key is the medical community becoming educated, the need for testing of Valley Fever. Only one test can detect Valley Fever, the comp fixation blood test. Not every negative is accurate, but every positive is. The sooner it is properly identified combined with new trial treatments, the better the outcome. I've received numerous emails, even from a Doctor in Germany, who asked if she could have Valley Fever symptoms coming back 30 years after her initial symptoms, the answer was yes. It is now understood, immunity after catching Valley Fever is not true. Symptoms can surface 20 years later.

On a positive note, staying focused on Dr. Galgiani's work seems the solution.

Best Regards,

Valley-Fever.org

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Aug 3, 2006

Now for some alarming information. More people have died from Valley Fever then West Nile Virus or SARS combined worldwide.

:eek: Wow!

Hoozdo, ADN · Aug 7, 2006

Hello cclife06, siri, cardiacRN2006,
Although the following information may be alarming, the good news is Valley Fever is now on the radar with the State of Arizona. In addition VFCE (ASU/VA) Dr. Galgiani will begin clinical human trials in the next year with nikkomycin z. Nikkomycin Z has been proven in mice to kill Valley Fever. Dr. Galgiani is the world expert on Valley Fever, VFCE in Tucson, AZ.
Now for some alarming information. More people have died from Valley Fever then West Nile Virus or SARS combined worldwide. Valley Fever has up to a 50% fatality rate for persons of dark skin (phillipino's) and women pregnant in their third trimester. In 1996 the Federal Government labeled Valley Fever a bio terror hazard/weapon. After 9/11 in 2001 the Federal Government upgraded Valley Fever to class 2, equal to the Ebola virus. The State of Arizona has stayed quiet about Valley Fever until 2006. The State of Arizona quietly passed legislation making the State immune to law suits filed beyond the 180th day, after one discovers they have contracted Valley Fever.
[The Arizona Daily Star newspaper in Tucson reported last month that cases of Valley Fever are spiking across the state, with a record 4,000 reported cases possible by the year's end. But a study says the true count could reach 30,000 because many cases of pneumonia are valley fever in disguise, the Daily Star said.]
The key is the medical community becoming educated, the need for testing of Valley Fever. Only one test can detect Valley Fever, the comp fixation blood test. Not every negative is accurate, but every positive is. The sooner it is properly identified combined with new trial treatments, the better the outcome. I've received numerous emails, even from a Doctor in Germany, who asked if she could have Valley Fever symptoms coming back 30 years after her initial symptoms, the answer was yes. It is now understood, immunity after catching Valley Fever is not true. Symptoms can surface 20 years later.
On a positive note, staying focused on Dr. Galgiani's work seems the solution.
Best Regards,
Valley-Fever.org

Interesting stuff, thanks for the info. Say, why don't they make the Valley Fever skin test anymore? I can remember having one as a child and it was positive.....now I am told it isn't being manufactured anymore, anywhere.

Does the comp fixation test turn positive for past infection or only current infection?

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2006

hello cclife06, siri, cardiacrn2006,
now for some alarming information. more people have died from valley fever then west nile virus or sars combined worldwide. valley fever has up to a 50% fatality rate for persons of dark skin (phillipino's) and women pregnant in their third trimester. in 1996 the federal government labeled valley fever a bio terror hazard/weapon. after 9/11 in 2001 the federal government upgraded valley fever to class 2, equal to the ebola virus. the state of arizona has stayed quiet about valley fever until 2006. the state of arizona quietly passed legislation making the state immune to law suits filed beyond the 180th day, after one discovers they have contracted valley fever.

that is alarming. what i've read indicated that up to 50% of people living in endemic areas test positive for exposure (positive titer). 60% of people who are infected never show symptoms. in the other 40% it usually presents as mild flu-like symptoms. i don't remember seeing a percentage for the more virulent disseminated cases but it was a small portion of those who show symptoms. here's a link to the cdc information.

this is from valley-fever.org;

approximately 60% of people who are infected exhibit no symptoms (asymptomatic). in the other 40%, symptoms appear 10-30 days after exposure. these symptoms include a fever which can reach 104°f (39.5°c), dry cough, chest pains, joint and muscle aches, headache, and weight loss. about two weeks after the start of the fever, some people develop a painful red rash or lumps on the lower legs. symptoms usually disappear without treatment in about one month. people who have been infected gain partial immunity to reinfection.

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2006

Here's another good link, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001322.htm

From that article,

Acute coccidioidomycosis is rare. In any given year, about 3% of people who live in an area where coccidiomycosis is commonly seen will develop the disease.
Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis can develop 20 or more years after initial infection which may not have been recognized, diagnosed, or treated at the time. Infections (lung abscesses) can form and rupture releasing pus (empyema) between the lungs and ribs (pleural space). This disorder is even less common than the acute form, however.
In disseminated disease, spread of infection to the bones, lungs, liver, meninges, brain, skin, heart, and pericardium (sac around the heart) may take place. Meningitis occurs in 30-50% of cases of disseminated disease. The course of the disease may be rapid for immunosuppressed patients.

Hoozdo, ADN · Aug 8, 2006

Here's another good link, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001322.htm
From that article,

I think I am gonna have to stay away from this thread Since I am a transplant recipient I take immunsuppressin drugs for life. It is not comforting to know Valley Fever can come back to bite me 20 years after I contracted it

:trout:

oONurseSharkOo · Aug 11, 2006

Valley fever is rough but its definantly situational in terms of severity.

I have lived here in arizona for most of my life and i didnt accually get vf until my sophmore year in high school. it was particularly bad for me because im allergic to most antibiotics. i was finnaly able to take levaquin but it caused an allergic reaction and i had severe hives. about a quarter of my left lung had filled with fluid and i guess my doctors saw the hives as an acceptable risk. either way i had benedryl shots in my rear every 4 hours to counter the levaquin for nearly a week and a half. also note that it always stays with you and can act up from time to time.

on the opposite end of the spectrum my siter caught it and she had flu and pnemonia symptoms for about a week and it passed without much resistance thanks to average antibiotics.

bottom line is if your going to stress about VF at all than you might as well start stressing about scorpions as well since arizona is home to the deadliest scorpion in the US, the bark scorpion. Doesnt say much for the killing power for the rest of americas scorpions since the the last recorded death from a bark scorpion was in 1940. but just like VF these suckers are EVERYWHERE and yes either one packs a hell of a punch.....trust me i've experienced them both, chances are you wont feel good for a little wile but you will live.

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2006

I'm surprised it responded to levoquin. Valley Fever is a fungus and from what I've read it's typically treated with an antifungal such as amphotericin B, fluconazole, or itraconazole.

You are correct on those bark scorpions though. They sting like the dickens. I've been hit twice. The lady at the poison control hotline told me most serious reactions on those come from allergic responses. It took about 36 hours for the first stings to subside and about 24 hours for my second sting which happened about 2 months after the first. Ouch!

oONurseSharkOo · Aug 15, 2006

I'm surprised it responded to levoquin. Valley Fever is a fungus and from what I've read it's typically treated with an antifungal such as amphotericin B, fluconazole, or itraconazole.
You are correct on those bark scorpions though. They sting like the dickens. I've been hit twice. The lady at the poison control hotline told me most serious reactions on those come from allergic responses. It took about 36 hours for the first stings to subside and about 24 hours for my second sting which happened about 2 months after the first. Ouch!

i think we used the levaquin to control my pnemonia and i had to ride the vf out. i was in the hospital for a week and a hlaf so it was a slow process.

and about the scoprions interestingly i experienced a lot of numbness which lasted days. my lips and nose were numb to the point of making it hard to drink out of a glass for the first 6 or so hours and my arm around the sting was numb for the ramainder of the week. i was stung sunday morning in BED. the thing was under my pillow and got me when i slid my arm underneath. it was nice to know i wasnt allergic and it made them seem less threatening i think. the most interesting part was when a freind of mine who works for a pest control company came over that night and we black lighted my apt how many more we actually found. They light up under black light and stand out like a sore thumb. Even better when we took the black light outside and looked around through the planters and such. EVERYWHERE