Valley Fever Research Paper
Surgical Tech
Valley Fever
Joseph Ramoz
Brookline College
Monica Cervi-Instructor
November 15, 2010
A disease also called coccidioidomycosis or (CM) due to a fungus called Coccidioides immitis. About 40% of people infected with this fungus develop symptoms. Most often they have an influenza-like illness with fever, cough, headaches, rash, and myalgias. Usually, those people with symptoms, 8% have severe lung disease requiring hospitalization and about 7% develop disseminated infection throughout the body. Valley fever is a lung infection. A fungus becomes airborne when dust around construction areas and agricultural areas is transported by the wind. When spores are inhaled, Valley Fever can result. Valley Fever is …show more content…
Once infected, however, certain groups seem to have more instances of it spreading to other parts of their bodies. As far as gender is concerned, men are more likely than women, and African Americans and Filipinos are more likely to get it when considering race. Also, people with problems with their immune systems are always at risk. Farm workers or others who spend time working in dirt and dust are most likely to get Valley Fever. You are also at higher risk if you are caught in dust storms, or if your recreation, such as biking or 4-wheeling, takes you to dusty areas. One thing you can do to minimize your risk of getting Valley Fever, like stated previously above, is to wear a mask if you have to be out in the blowing dust. It is estimated that about one third of the people in the lower desert areas of Arizona have had Valley Fever at some point. Your chances of getting Valley Fever are about 1 out of 33, but the longer you live in the desert southwest the higher your chances of infection. There are about 100,000 new cases of Valley Fever each year. You don’t have to live here to get it people visiting or traveling through the area has been infected, too. There is no vaccine at this time for Valley Fever. Most people are able to fight off Valley Fever on their own without treatment. Most people usually don’t get it again. For those that seek treatment, antifungal drugs not antibiotics
Valley Fever
Joseph Ramoz
Brookline College
Monica Cervi-Instructor
November 15, 2010
A disease also called coccidioidomycosis or (CM) due to a fungus called Coccidioides immitis. About 40% of people infected with this fungus develop symptoms. Most often they have an influenza-like illness with fever, cough, headaches, rash, and myalgias. Usually, those people with symptoms, 8% have severe lung disease requiring hospitalization and about 7% develop disseminated infection throughout the body. Valley fever is a lung infection. A fungus becomes airborne when dust around construction areas and agricultural areas is transported by the wind. When spores are inhaled, Valley Fever can result. Valley Fever is …show more content…
Once infected, however, certain groups seem to have more instances of it spreading to other parts of their bodies. As far as gender is concerned, men are more likely than women, and African Americans and Filipinos are more likely to get it when considering race. Also, people with problems with their immune systems are always at risk. Farm workers or others who spend time working in dirt and dust are most likely to get Valley Fever. You are also at higher risk if you are caught in dust storms, or if your recreation, such as biking or 4-wheeling, takes you to dusty areas. One thing you can do to minimize your risk of getting Valley Fever, like stated previously above, is to wear a mask if you have to be out in the blowing dust. It is estimated that about one third of the people in the lower desert areas of Arizona have had Valley Fever at some point. Your chances of getting Valley Fever are about 1 out of 33, but the longer you live in the desert southwest the higher your chances of infection. There are about 100,000 new cases of Valley Fever each year. You don’t have to live here to get it people visiting or traveling through the area has been infected, too. There is no vaccine at this time for Valley Fever. Most people are able to fight off Valley Fever on their own without treatment. Most people usually don’t get it again. For those that seek treatment, antifungal drugs not antibiotics