Newly Diagnosed With Valley Fever?
You are not alone. Many people first hear about Valley Fever only after they or someone they love becomes sick.
This page explains the basics in plain language and can help you prepare for conversations with a qualified healthcare provider.
1. What Is Valley Fever?
Valley Fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection caused by breathing spores from Coccidioides.
The fungus lives in soil and dust in parts of California, Arizona, and other areas of the southwestern United States.
Spores may become airborne during construction, farming, excavation, gardening, landscaping, windstorms, earthquakes, and other activities that disturb dry soil.
2. Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms usually begin about one to three weeks after exposure and may last for weeks or months.
3. Who May Be at Greater Risk?
Anyone can get Valley Fever. There is a difference between greater exposure to outdoor dust and greater risk of severe illness after infection.
Greater Exposure Risk
- Construction and excavation workers
- Agricultural and field workers
- Landscapers and gardeners
- Wildland firefighters
- Military personnel and archaeologists
- People near dust storms or major soil disturbance
Greater Risk of Severe Illness
- Adults age 60 and older
- Pregnant individuals, especially later in pregnancy
- People with diabetes
- People with weakened immune systems
- Organ-transplant recipients
- People receiving immune-suppressing treatment
4. Diagnosis & Treatment
Valley Fever may resemble bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, or another respiratory illness.
Diagnosis may include:
- Blood tests
- Chest X-rays or CT scans
- Testing respiratory samples
- Culture, microscopy, or biopsy in selected cases
Early blood tests can sometimes be negative, so repeat testing may be considered when symptoms and exposure history still suggest Valley Fever.
Treatment
Many mild infections improve without antifungal medication. More serious infections may require antifungal treatment.
Severe or disseminated infections require specialized medical care and may require long-term treatment or hospitalization.
5. Prevention
Stay away from active construction, excavation, and visible dust clouds when possible.
Wear a properly fitted respirator when heavy dust cannot be avoided.
Moistening dry soil can help reduce airborne dust.
Close windows and use filtered indoor air when practical.
No approved Valley Fever vaccine is currently available, and no single precaution can completely prevent exposure.
6. When to Seek Medical Care
Contact a healthcare provider if you have ongoing pneumonia-like symptoms and live in, work in, or recently traveled through an area where Valley Fever occurs.
- Worsening cough, fever, weakness, or breathing problems
- Pneumonia that is not improving with antibiotics
- Severe headache, confusion, or neck stiffness
- New skin lesions, bone pain, or joint swelling
- Symptoms that interfere with daily life
7. Important Questions
Is Valley Fever contagious?
No. It does not normally spread from person to person or between people and animals.
Can pets get Valley Fever?
Yes. Dogs, cats, and other animals can become infected after breathing spores from outdoor dust.
Is there a vaccine?
No approved Valley Fever vaccine is currently available.
Can it spread outside the lungs?
Yes, although this is uncommon. Disseminated disease can affect the skin, bones, joints, brain, spinal cord, or other organs.
Need Medical Care or Local Support?
SVFSA provides education, awareness, and survivor support. We do not diagnose conditions, select providers, or recommend individual treatment.
Sacramento-area patients and families can visit our Resources page for information about local healthcare providers, Valley Fever specialists, support services, and trusted medical organizations.
People outside the Sacramento region should contact a qualified local healthcare provider and ask whether Valley Fever testing or specialist evaluation may be appropriate.
Trusted Medical Sources
This page uses information from recognized public-health and medical authorities.
Medical guidance can change. Patients should rely on qualified healthcare professionals for personal medical decisions.