Coccidioidomycosis Fungus That Prospers in Hot, Dry Areas Spreading in US: Valley Fever Symptoms, Treatment Explained

Over the succeeding years, researchers would discover some important realities about Valley Fever, also called Coccidioidomycosis, an infection caused by the fungus Coccidiodides.

A WIRED report specified that scientists found that this disease as endemic to specific areas of the world. The fungi stimulate the illness residing in soil. Many people who were contaminated are asymptomatic. The fungus frequency is affected by the weather condition's pattern and seasonal environmental conditions.

A few years back, Earth systems researcher Morgan Gorris at the New Mexico-based Los Alamos National Lab, opted to study a vital concern, specifically, what's making a particular location "congenial or Cocci."

Quickly, she found that the fungi prosper in a set of specific conditions. Specifically, United States counties where Valley Fever is endemic have a usual temperature level higher than 50 degrees Fahrenheit every year and are getting below 600 millimeters of rain, also each year.

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'Endemic' Locations

According to an Infiniti CS News report, Gorris said, that these areas were "hot and dry counties." She stuck the geographical sites that fulfilled such specifications on a map and had them overlaid with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approximates on where Coccidioidomycosis is growing.

Precisely, the counties included those extending from West Texas through the Southwest, and up into California with a small portion of Washington.

Nonetheless then, Gorris took her assessment in action even more. She opted to observe what would happen to Valley Fever under what this report describes as "hi-emissions" environment modification conditions.

To some extent, whether the diseases would spread out if humans continued to emit greenhouse gases, life in the affected sites continues amidst the adversity.

Gorris explained that she found out that by the end of this century, a great part of the western US might end up being endemic to Coccidioidomycosis. She added, their endemic sites might broaden as far north as the border between the US and Canada.

Valley Fever Symptoms and Treatment

The CDC describes Valley fever as a severe and costly illness. Symptoms can be akin to those of respiratory infections.

People who experience symptoms of Valley fever, and live in, or have been to an area where the fungus is typical, should to their doctor to test them for the disease.

These symptoms include cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, headaches, joint pain or muscle aches, night sweats, and rash on legs or upper body.

Coccidioidomycosis usually involves supportive care, according to a Mayo Clinic report, and sometimes medications for treatment.

The said medical site also specified, most people who have acute Valley fever do not need treatment. Even when one experiences severe symptoms, the best therapy for otherwise healthy individuals is frequently fluid intake and bed rest.

However, if symptoms persist and do not improve, or worsen, the doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication like fluconazole. These medications are also used for those who have chronic or disseminated diseases.

Cocci Seem Limited Through Freezing

According to scientist Bridget Barker, from the Northern Arizona University, there is a factor to consider such a Cocci growth might be taking place presently.

She elaborated that parts of northern Arizona, Utah, and Washington all had Valley Fever breakouts just recently.

Barker stated that it is quite worrying since it would show that the illness is occurring at present. "If we take a look at the overlap" with levels of soil temperatures, she explained that Cocci seems to be rather restricted through freezing.

Barker is still dealing with the identification of the soil temperature level restriction for the Cocci fungi. Nevertheless, in basic, the reality that a growing number of the US locations might rapidly have conditions ripe for the expansion of Caccidiodomycosis, Barker said, is fretting.

Related information about the Valley Fever is shown on PBS NewsHours' YouTube video below: