Coccidiomycosis
Skin lesions on the thigh of an infected person
What is it?
It is a fungal infection of the lungs and skin characterized by excessive sputum and nodules which is also known as “Valley Fever”, “California Fever”, “Desert Rheumatism” and also “San Joaquin Valley Fever”. This disease is not contagious, as the spreading from one person to another is impossible. An infected person normally develops immunity for the disease, so second infection is unlikely.
What causes it?
It is the result of the inhalation of the microscopic spores of Coccidioides immitis.
Skin lesion around the mouth of a child infected by coccidiomycosis
What are the symptoms?
- Fever
- Cough
- Headache
- Rash on upper trunk or extremities
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain in the knees or ankles
- Skin lesions
- Chronic pneumonia
- Meningitis
- Bone or joint infection
How does it spread?
People can get the disease by breathing in the Coccidioides spores from the air, especially after a soil disturbance. It is because the spores became airborne due to the disturbance. It cannot be spread from one person to another, as it is not contagious.
cultured spores of Coccidioides immitis