9 Valley Fever Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Valley fever may sound like an uncommon illness, but it affects thousands of people each year, particularly in regions where the fungus responsible for the infection naturally lives in the soil. Many people do not recognize the warning signs because the early symptoms can look very similar to a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection.
Valley fever is caused by the fungus Coccidioides. People become infected when they breathe in tiny fungal spores that become airborne after contaminated soil is disturbed. Around 60% of infected people may have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, making the infection easy to overlook. However, in some cases, it can become more serious and spread beyond the lungs.
Another challenge is that symptoms may not appear right away. They can develop one to three weeks after exposure. Early signs such as tiredness, coughing, or a mild fever may seem harmless, which can cause people to delay seeking medical care.
Knowing the main symptoms can help you recognize when an illness may be more than a typical respiratory infection. Persistent coughing, unexplained fatigue, chest discomfort, night sweats, skin changes, and ongoing fever deserve attention, particularly if you live in or have recently visited an area where Valley fever is common.
This article covers 9 Valley fever symptoms you should not ignore, how they may appear, why they occur, and when medical attention may be appropriate.
What is Valley Fever?
Valley Fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is a non-contagious fungal infection caused by species of the Coccidioides fungus. These fungi live naturally in the soil of certain dry and semi-dry regions.
Most people exposed to the fungus do not develop severe illness, but those who become sick can experience symptoms ranging from mild respiratory problems to more serious complications.
Is Valley Fever Contagious?
Valley Fever is not spread from one person to another. Infection occurs when a person inhales airborne fungal spores called arthroconidia after contaminated soil is disturbed.
Once inhaled, these spores enter the lungs and change into another form called a spherule. The spherule develops inside the body and contributes to the infection, but it is not the form that spreads through coughing, sneezing, or close contact.
The Coccidioides life cycle requires the fungus to grow in soil as a mold and produce infectious spores. Humans and animals can become infected but generally do not transmit the infection to others.
This means you cannot catch Valley Fever from an infected family member, coworker, or pet.
The only typical route of infection is inhaling spores from an environment where the fungus is present. This makes Valley Fever different from contagious respiratory illnesses such as influenza or tuberculosis.
Where is the Fungus That Causes Valley Fever Found?
The Coccidioides fungus is mainly found in the soil of dry, low-rainfall areas of the Western Hemisphere. The best-known areas are in the southwestern United States.
These include much of Arizona, including areas around Phoenix and Tucson, as well as California’s San Joaquin Valley, which gave the illness its common name, “Valley Fever.”
The fungus can also be found in parts of Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and western Texas, including the El Paso area. Outside the United States, it occurs in parts of Mexico and Central and South America, including Argentina and Paraguay.
The fungus thrives in dry, sandy, alkaline soil. During long dry periods, it can remain inactive. After rainfall, it can grow as a mold and produce filaments that eventually form infectious spores.
When the soil becomes dry again, activities that disturb the ground can send these lightweight spores into the air. Windstorms, construction, farming, hiking, and off-road vehicle use can all contribute to airborne dust and potential exposure.
Because of this geographic pattern, a person’s travel or residence history can be an important clue when doctors evaluate symptoms that may be consistent with Valley Fever.
9 Primary Symptoms of Valley Fever?
Valley Fever Cough
A Valley Fever cough is often persistent and dry, although some people may eventually produce phlegm or sputum. Unlike a typical cough from a cold that gradually improves, a Valley Fever cough can continue for weeks or even months.
It may begin as a mild throat irritation before developing into a stronger, persistent cough that interferes with sleep and daily activities.
The prolonged nature of the cough is an important feature. While many viral respiratory infections improve within a week or two, a Valley Fever cough may continue much longer.
Frequent coughing can also lead to chest soreness or make existing chest pain worse. The cough develops because the lungs respond to inhaled Coccidioides spores with inflammation.
As the immune system works to contain the fungal infection, inflammation develops in the airways and lung tissue, triggering the cough reflex. A dry cough is common, but producing phlegm may occur when there is greater inflammation or pneumonia.
Fever Associated with Valley Fever
Fever is another common symptom of Valley Fever. It can range from a mild temperature around 100°F (38°C) to a high fever above 104°F (40°C).
The fever occurs because the immune system is responding to the fungal infection. It may come and go rather than remain constant, with some people experiencing higher temperatures later in the day or evening.
Chills and shivering can occur when the body’s temperature changes quickly. Fever may last for several days or even a few weeks during the acute phase of infection.
The severity of the fever does not always reflect how serious the lung infection is. Some people with relatively mild respiratory symptoms can develop a high fever, while others with more significant lung involvement may have only a low-grade fever.
When fever occurs together with headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and other flu-like symptoms, Valley Fever can easily be mistaken for influenza or another respiratory infection.
Fatigue
Valley Fever can cause intense fatigue that is much more severe and long-lasting than ordinary tiredness. Rest or a full night’s sleep may not provide much relief.
The exhaustion can make basic activities, such as getting dressed, preparing meals, working, or attending school, feel extremely difficult.
Some people describe feeling completely drained of energy. Fatigue may continue for weeks or months, even after other symptoms such as fever and coughing begin to improve.
In some cases, post-infection fatigue may last for more than a year and can significantly affect work, school, and social activities.
The fatigue is thought to be related in part to the body’s prolonged immune response to the fungal infection. Inflammatory substances released during this response can contribute to feelings of exhaustion and general illness.
Night Sweats
Night sweats associated with Valley Fever can be intense enough to soak pajamas and bed sheets. They are more than simply feeling warm or slightly sweaty during sleep.
These episodes may occur as the body responds to changes in temperature, including when a fever begins to fall during the night.
Night sweats can occur with many systemic infections and other medical conditions. When they appear alongside persistent fever, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms, they can provide an important clue for healthcare professionals considering Valley Fever.
For some people, severe night sweats may be a sign that the illness is causing a stronger whole-body response than an ordinary cold.
Chest Pain
Chest pain caused by Valley Fever may feel sharp, stabbing, or pleuritic. It can become worse when taking a deep breath, coughing, or laughing.
This type of pain can develop when infection and inflammation affect the lung tissue and pleura, the thin membranes surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity.
When these inflamed surfaces move against each other during breathing, they can produce sharp discomfort. The pain may occur on one side of the chest or feel more widespread.
The intensity can range from a dull ache to severe pain that makes taking a deep breath uncomfortable.
Chest pain can occur when inflammation develops in the lungs as the immune system responds to the fungal infection. It may be a sign of lower respiratory involvement and should be evaluated, especially when it occurs with other concerning symptoms.
Rashes
Valley fever can cause skin rashes such as erythema nodosum and erythema multiforme. These are generally considered immune reactions to the infection rather than signs that the fungus is directly growing in the skin.
Erythema nodosum is more common and may appear as painful, tender red or brownish bumps, usually on the shins and lower legs. It can sometimes affect other areas, including the arms, torso, or head.
Erythema multiforme can appear as a more widespread red rash with distinctive target-like or “bull’s-eye” spots. It may affect areas such as the torso, arms, and neck.
These skin changes are thought to result from the body’s immune response to fungal antigens rather than direct fungal infection of the skin.
A rash, particularly erythema nodosum, occurring together with fever, respiratory symptoms, and flu-like illness can be an important clue when evaluating possible Valley Fever.
Headaches and Muscle Aches
Headaches and muscle aches can occur because of the body’s overall inflammatory response to the Coccidioides infection.
When the immune system detects the fungus, it releases inflammatory signaling proteins called cytokines. These substances help coordinate the immune response but can also contribute to generalized symptoms such as headache, muscle soreness, weakness, and feeling unwell.
Muscle aches can affect much of the body and may feel similar to the body aches experienced with influenza.
Headaches may range from mild to severe and can sometimes feel like a persistent, dull ache.
In most cases, these symptoms are indirect effects of immune activation rather than evidence that the fungus is directly infecting the muscles or brain. However, direct spread to other areas can occur in rare severe cases.
Because fever, chills, headache, and body aches can resemble a viral infection, other symptoms and the person’s exposure history can be important when determining the possible cause.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, can occur when Valley Fever causes inflammation and damage in the lungs.
After inhaled Coccidioides spores develop inside the lungs, the immune system responds with inflammation. In some cases, this can lead to pneumonia, causing the air sacs in the lungs to become affected by fluid and inflammatory material.
This can make it harder for oxygen to move from the lungs into the bloodstream, resulting in breathlessness.
Inflammation may also affect the airways and make breathing more difficult. Shortness of breath may initially become noticeable during exercise or other physical activity, although more severe disease can cause breathing problems even while resting.
The severity can range from mild difficulty catching the breath to significant respiratory distress. When shortness of breath occurs with chest pain or other serious symptoms, medical evaluation is important.
Joint Pain
Joint pain, or arthralgia, is sometimes called “desert rheumatism” when it occurs with Valley Fever. It may cause pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling in one or more joints.
The knees and ankles are commonly affected, although the wrists, elbows, hands, and feet can also be involved.
Joint symptoms may move from one joint to another and can sometimes affect both sides of the body.
The pain is generally not caused by the fungus directly infecting the joints. Instead, it is thought to result from an immune response involving immune complexes in the bloodstream.
The combination of fever, joint pain, and erythema nodosum can be an important clinical clue when evaluating acute Valley Fever.
When to Seek Medical Help?
You should consider seeing a doctor if Valley Fever symptoms are severe, last longer than a week, or occur after living in or traveling to an area where the infection is common.
Because the early symptoms can resemble influenza or bacterial pneumonia, it can be easy to dismiss them. However, a cough that does not improve, severe fatigue that interferes with normal activities, high fever, drenching night sweats, or a painful rash can all be reasons to seek medical advice.
Medical evaluation is especially important for people who have a higher risk of developing severe or disseminated disease.
An accurate diagnosis can help determine the appropriate treatment and may reduce the risk of complications in people who develop more serious infections.
Are Certain People at Higher Risk for Severe Valley Fever?
Some people have a higher risk of developing severe or disseminated Valley Fever, meaning the infection spreads beyond the lungs.
A weakened immune system is one of the most important risk factors. This can include people with HIV/AIDS, those receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, organ transplant recipients taking anti-rejection medicines, and people taking long-term corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications.
Pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, can also increase the risk of severe disease. People with certain underlying conditions, including diabetes, may also have an increased risk.
The source material also identifies certain racial and ethnic groups as having a higher statistical risk of disseminated coccidioidomycosis. These include people of Filipino, African American, Hispanic, or Native American descent.
Disseminated infection can spread to areas such as the skin, bones, joints, and brain, where it can cause serious complications including fungal meningitis. People with higher-risk factors should discuss symptoms suggestive of Valley Fever with a healthcare professional promptly.
What Information to Give Your Doctor?
When speaking with a doctor about possible Valley Fever, provide a detailed history of your symptoms and mention any recent travel or residence in areas where the fungus is found.
This information can be especially important for healthcare professionals who practice outside regions where Valley Fever is common and may be less likely to consider it initially.
Be specific about where you traveled and when, including locations such as Arizona, California’s Central Valley, or western Texas.
Also describe when your symptoms began, how long they have lasted, and how severe they are. Mention persistent coughing, fatigue, chest pain, fever, night sweats, skin changes, joint pain, or breathing difficulties.
Providing this complete history, together with information about possible environmental exposure, can help a doctor determine whether specific Valley Fever testing may be appropriate.
Without an accurate exposure history, the infection may be mistaken for bacterial pneumonia or another respiratory illness, which can delay appropriate treatment.
Valley Fever Diagnosis
Diagnosing Valley Fever usually involves combining a person’s symptoms with their travel or residence history and the results of laboratory and imaging tests.
Because early symptoms can resemble influenza, bacterial pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses, doctors need objective evidence to determine whether Coccidioides is responsible.
Blood tests are commonly used to look for antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the fungus.
Two important types of antibodies include IgM and IgG. IgM antibodies generally appear earlier in an infection, while IgG antibodies may develop later and remain detectable for a longer period.
Chest imaging can also help evaluate the lungs. A chest X-ray is often used first and may show nodules, cavities, or areas of inflammation associated with a fungal lung infection.
A CT scan provides more detailed images and may identify smaller or less obvious abnormalities that are not as clear on an X-ray.
In complicated or severe cases, especially when blood tests are inconclusive or spread of the infection is suspected, doctors may collect a tissue or fluid sample. This may be done through procedures such as bronchoscopy or needle biopsy. The sample can then be examined or cultured to look for Coccidioides.
Potential Long-term Complications of Valley Fever
Many people with Valley Fever have mild symptoms or no symptoms and recover without major complications. However, a smaller number of people can develop persistent or more serious disease.
Complications may occur when the immune system does not completely control the infection or when the fungus spreads beyond the lungs.
Two important complications are chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis and disseminated coccidioidomycosis. These conditions may require prolonged antifungal treatment and careful medical monitoring.
People with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and certain higher-risk groups may be more likely to develop severe complications.
Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis occurs when the initial lung infection does not fully resolve and instead continues over a longer period.
It can lead to nodules or cavities within the lungs. Symptoms may include persistent coughing, fever, weight loss, and chest pain. In some cases, a lung cavity can rupture and cause a collapsed lung, known as pneumothorax.
Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is the most severe form described in the source material. It occurs when the infection spreads from the lungs through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
The infection can affect the skin, bones, joints, brain, and spinal cord. When the brain or its surrounding tissues become involved, it can cause coccidioidal meningitis, a serious condition that requires prompt treatment.
Valley Fever vs. The flu or COVID-19
Valley Fever can initially be difficult to distinguish from influenza and COVID-19 because all three conditions may cause symptoms such as fever, coughing, fatigue, headaches, and body aches.
One major difference is their cause and method of transmission.
Valley fever is a fungal infection caused by inhaling Coccidioides spores from disturbed soil. Influenza and COVID-19 are viral infections caused by influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, respectively, and are primarily spread from person to person through respiratory particles.
This difference also affects treatment. Valley Fever may require antifungal medication, while influenza and COVID-19 may be managed with antiviral treatment or supportive care depending on the situation.
Geography is another important clue. Valley Fever is associated with dry and semi-arid regions where Coccidioides naturally occurs, particularly areas of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America.
Influenza and COVID-19 occur worldwide, so a recent travel or residence history can be particularly useful when Valley Fever is being considered.
All three illnesses can cause fever, cough, and body aches. However, Valley Fever may also be associated with symptoms such as erythema nodosum, chest pain, and prolonged fatigue.
The timing can also differ. Valley Fever symptoms may develop one to three weeks after exposure, while the onset of common viral respiratory infections may occur sooner after infection.
Valley Fever is not normally transmitted between people. In contrast, influenza and COVID-19 can spread readily from person to person.
How to Prevent a Valley Fever Infection
There is currently no vaccine available to prevent Valley Fever, so prevention mainly focuses on reducing exposure to airborne fungal spores in areas where Coccidioides is present.
Completely avoiding the fungus can be difficult for people who live in endemic regions, but certain precautions can reduce exposure.
The main strategy is to avoid activities that disturb large amounts of soil and create dust, particularly during windy conditions.
This can be especially important for people who work in construction, agriculture, archaeology, or other occupations involving frequent soil disturbance. People with weakened immune systems may also need to take extra precautions because they have a higher risk of severe disease.
Try to limit time in dusty environments. If you must work or spend time in an area where large amounts of dust are present, an N95 respirator may help filter airborne particles.
During major dust storms, staying indoors and keeping windows and doors closed can help reduce exposure to airborne dust.
At home, HEPA filters in air-conditioning systems or standalone air purifiers can help remove small airborne particles. Wetting the soil before digging or doing yard work can also reduce the amount of dust that becomes airborne.
FAQs
1. Will Valley fever go away on its own?
In many cases, Valley fever can improve without specific treatment, particularly in people with mild symptoms and healthy immune systems.
Some people recover within several weeks or months as their immune system controls the infection. However, symptoms such as fatigue, coughing, or joint pain can sometimes continue for a long time.
People who have a higher risk of complications may need antifungal treatment and medical monitoring to reduce the risk of severe disease.
2. What can be mistaken for Valley fever?
Valley fever can resemble several other illnesses because its early symptoms overlap with common respiratory infections.
It may be mistaken for influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, bronchitis, or other infections. Fever, coughing, fatigue, chest discomfort, and body aches can occur with many conditions.
Testing and information about recent travel or environmental exposure can help doctors determine whether Valley fever should be considered.
3. What does Valley fever look like in the lungs?
Valley fever can cause inflammation and areas of infection within the lungs. Imaging such as a chest X-ray or CT scan may show nodules, infiltrates, or other changes that can resemble pneumonia.
In some cases, the infection can lead to lung cavities, which are hollow areas that develop after tissue damage.
Many lung abnormalities improve over time, although some changes may remain visible even after the infection has resolved.
4. What time of year is Valley fever most common?
Valley fever exposure can increase during dry and dusty periods when fungal spores are more easily disturbed and carried through the air.
In regions where Coccidioides is present, activities such as construction, farming, digging, or exposure to strong winds can increase contact with airborne soil particles.
The timing of higher risk varies depending on the local climate and environment.
5. What not to do with Valley fever?
Do not ignore persistent symptoms or assume that a long-lasting cough, fever, or severe fatigue is simply a routine illness.
Avoid taking leftover antibiotics without medical advice. Antibiotics do not treat fungal infections such as Valley fever.
It can also be helpful to limit activities that create large amounts of dust, particularly if you live in or are visiting an area where Coccidioides is common.
6. How do you confirm Valley fever?
Doctors generally diagnose Valley fever using a combination of symptoms, medical history, exposure or travel information, imaging, and laboratory tests.
Blood tests can detect antibodies or other signs of infection. In some situations, doctors may also test respiratory samples, tissue, or other body fluids to look directly for the fungus.
7. What is the deadliest fungal infection?
Several fungal infections can become life-threatening depending on a person’s overall health, immune status, and the severity of the infection.
Valley fever can become serious in some people, particularly when it spreads beyond the lungs. Other severe fungal diseases include invasive aspergillosis, cryptococcal meningitis, and mucormycosis, especially among people with weakened immune systems.
Conclusion
Valley fever can be difficult to recognize because its early symptoms often resemble common respiratory illnesses. Knowing the warning signs can help you recognize when medical evaluation may be appropriate.
Persistent coughing, fever, severe fatigue, chest discomfort, joint pain, night sweats, and certain skin changes can all occur with Valley fever. These symptoms deserve particular attention if you live in or have recently traveled to an area where Coccidioides is found.
Many people recover without major problems, but some infections can become severe or cause long-term complications. Early evaluation, appropriate testing, and medical guidance can help determine the right approach to care.
Understanding the symptoms and risk factors of Valley fever is an important step toward recognizing the infection and avoiding unnecessary delays in diagnosis and treatment.
