A disease caused by inhaling spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis. It starts out as a respiratory illness and may progress to a persistent infection; disseminated coccidioidomycosis is the most severe form and is often fatal. Anyone who is present near dust-producing activities where soil or other materials contaminated with C. immitis are present can get this disease if enough spores are inhaled. Symptoms: First the lungs are infected, possibly producing no symptoms at all or perhaps a fever, chills, and cough. This infection may heal completely, or result in other complications. Approximately 1-in-1000 cases will progress to the disseminated form, leading to lesions in the lung and abscesses throughout the body. These abscesses tend to form in the subcutaneous tissues, skin, bone and the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Also: Valley Fever

	Erythema Nodosum The Condition "...Finally, all kinds of infections, ranging from the common, such as strep throat, to the uncommon, such as coccidioidomycosis (a fungal disease mostly seen in the southwestern U..." Immune System Imbalance (TH2 Dominance) Our Question about coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) "Since cellular immunity is responsible for protection against the spreading of coccidioidomycosis, cellular immunity may be depressed in those who experience dissemination..." Low T-Helper (CD4) Cell Level The Condition "...& Development Low CD4+ T-cell counts (CD4 counts) are associated with a variety of conditions, including many viral infections, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, sepsis, tuberculosis, coccidioidomycosis, burns, trauma, intravenous injections of foreign proteins, malnutrition, over-exercising, pregnancy, normal daily variation, psychological stress, and social isolation..." Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) The Condition "Coccidioidomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the spores of a fungus Coccidioides immitis found in soil in desert regions of the southwestern U..." Our Question about tender muscles "One third of patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis have musculoskeletal involvement..." Relationship to AIDS "The depressed cellular immunity seen in HIV infection increases the risk of coccidioidomycosis..."

Last updated: May 10, 2007