Valley Fever
12/17/2012
Professor Marni Finkelstein
Medical Anthropology
Shannon Capuano
Research Paper
Medical Anthropology
11/17/2012
In the Northern hemisphere, particularly in southwestern regions, the United States and in northern Mexico dwells a disease called Coccidioidomycosis, which is also known as San Joaquin Fever, Valley Fever and Posada’s disease. Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease, which in most cases enters the body through the lungs. Both humans and mammals are susceptible to this infection. Specific areas have become endemic for a variety of reasons. Some reasons being, population swelling and the increase in tourism, that causes the infection to grow and manifest itself. There are various forms, where the infection can occur, such as: chronic progressive pneumonia, acute pneumonia, meningitis and extra pulmonary non-meningeal disease. The infection does not affect everyone the same and can cause only flu-like symptoms for patients, while others can experience the more severe side. This specific fungal infection has no exact cure but does have a handful of treatments available. A medical student in Argentina, Alejandro Posadas, discovered the first case of Coccidioidomycosis in 1892. Alejandro was an intern in Buenos Aires was studying a soldier who had a lesion on his right cheek. Later on more red and itchy spots developed and evolved into papules that discharged pus, another sign of the disease. By 1894 reports started to surface of Coccidioidomycosis, in California. Up until 1929 the infection was looked upon as being rare and fatal, but in the 1930’s and 40’s this view changed. The idea of it being less fatal steamed from the accidental inhaling of a specimen culture done by a medical student. In the end it turned
Professor Marni Finkelstein
Medical Anthropology
Shannon Capuano
Research Paper
Medical Anthropology
11/17/2012
In the Northern hemisphere, particularly in southwestern regions, the United States and in northern Mexico dwells a disease called Coccidioidomycosis, which is also known as San Joaquin Fever, Valley Fever and Posada’s disease. Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease, which in most cases enters the body through the lungs. Both humans and mammals are susceptible to this infection. Specific areas have become endemic for a variety of reasons. Some reasons being, population swelling and the increase in tourism, that causes the infection to grow and manifest itself. There are various forms, where the infection can occur, such as: chronic progressive pneumonia, acute pneumonia, meningitis and extra pulmonary non-meningeal disease. The infection does not affect everyone the same and can cause only flu-like symptoms for patients, while others can experience the more severe side. This specific fungal infection has no exact cure but does have a handful of treatments available. A medical student in Argentina, Alejandro Posadas, discovered the first case of Coccidioidomycosis in 1892. Alejandro was an intern in Buenos Aires was studying a soldier who had a lesion on his right cheek. Later on more red and itchy spots developed and evolved into papules that discharged pus, another sign of the disease. By 1894 reports started to surface of Coccidioidomycosis, in California. Up until 1929 the infection was looked upon as being rare and fatal, but in the 1930’s and 40’s this view changed. The idea of it being less fatal steamed from the accidental inhaling of a specimen culture done by a medical student. In the end it turned
References: * Hirschmann, J. V. (2007). The early history of coccidioidomycosis: 1892-1945. * n.p. (2010, May 21). "What Is Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)? What Causes Valley Fever?." Medical News Today. Retrieved from * http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/189430.php. * Ampel NM. Coccidioidomycosis: a review of recent advances. Clin Chest Med. 2009 Jun;30(2):241–51. * Galgiani JN. Coccidioidomycosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 341. * Hector RF, Laniado-Laborin R (2005) Coccidioidomycosis—A Fungal Disease of the Americas. PLoS Med 2(1): e2. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0020002