Valley Fever Essays

Valley Fever Essays Valley Fever Essay Valley Fever Essay Essay Topic: The Long Valley 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 normally found in the Southwest part of the U. S. where temperatures are high and the soils are dry. Groups at high risk from the fungus include African-Americans and Asians, pregnant women in the third trimester, smokers, the elderly, diabetics and people with an impaired immune system. Severe disease tends particularly to strike in HIV-infected persons. The mortality is high in HIV-infected persons with diffuse lung disease. Coccidioidomycosis meningitis can lead permanent brain damage. The fungus is in the soil in semiarid areas primarily in the lower Sonoran life zone. This disease is endemic (constantly present) in the southwestern US and parts of Mexico and South America. Inhalation of airborne spores after disturbance of soil by people or natural disasters such as wind storms and earthquakes exposes people such as, construction or agricultural workers and archeologists to the dust containing the spores. A mask helps but does ot provide complete protection against the fungus. Valley Fever doesn’t seem to play favorites, with all kinds of people at equal risk. 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 are used. Although these treatments are often helpful, the disease may persist and years of treatment may be required. If a lung cavity ruptures surgery may be necessary. Yes, dogs can get it and might need long term medication. Horses, cattle, sheep and other animals can also get Valley Fever. No, you cannot get it from another person or from an animal. Less than 1% of the people who get Valley Fever die from it. Valley Fever can usually be treated with fungus-killing medicines. Valley Fever is diagnosed with a blood test or culture. About 60% of infected persons have no symptoms. The rest develop flu-like symptoms that can last for a month and tiredness that can sometimes last for longer tan a few weeks. A small percentage of infected persons can develop disease that spreads outside the lungs to the brain, bone, and skin called disseminated disease. Without proper treatment, Valley Fever can lead to severe pneumonia, meningitis, and even death. It is common for people relocating to the Valley of the Sun to be concerned about Valley Fever. While Valley Fever can affect some people, it is important to remember that it affects few people very seriously, and many people never even know that they have Valley Fever. Still, it is not to be considered or taken lightly. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the number of reported Valley Fever cases in Arizona hit a record high in 2006, with 5,535 cases. The number of reported cases in 2007 was 4,832.