Valley Fever is an incurable parasitic fungal disease. Another name for valley
fever is "coccidioidomycosis. The disease is contracted by inhalation of cocci spores.
Valley fever, also known as cocci, is found in soil and is known to travel a distance of 500 miles.
If you live in an endemic area and its a windy day windows in your home should be closed,
as well as your vehicles with vents closed.
Cocci is not picky. It can attack men, women, children, the young, the old, the unborn child and
even your pets. Its sad people aren't warned about this potentially deadly disease before visiting
or moving to an area with case numbers rising by the thousands each year.
I contracted valley fever in the year 2003. For years valley fever has been misdiagnosed as lung cancer,
tuberculosis, or bacterial pneumonia. I was initially diagnosed as having bacterial pneumonia. After
3 months of chest x-ray after chest x-ray, failure to improve even on 4 different antibiotics I was
diagnosed with Valley Fever. Symptoms included coughing, stiff neck and shoulders, fever, poor sleeping, as well as aches and pains throughout my entire body.
I was one of the lucky ones that didn't get a rash. Once on the proper medications which is an anti-fungal
medication I started showing improvement. I can honestly say though that since I contracted valley fever I haven't felt the same. I am considered
stable but left with complaints of joint pains, arthritis and chronic fatigue.
During the past 4 years I have learned alot about Valley Fever mainly through the website called "Valley Fever
Survivor". For more facts, accurate and up to date information and statistics please visit the
Valley Fever Survivor Website.
I would like to share this site with you of friends from the Valley Fever Survivor Website. They are from various states where Valley Fever has affected them
or their loved ones.
I am one of the Directors of the Valley Fever Survivor Support Group for the Phoenix~Glendale Chapter. If you are interested in joining our group, or possibly becoming a director in your area please visit
Valley Fever Survivor Support Groups.
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