Summary: Valley Fever

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Coccidiodomycosis [kok-sid-ee-oi-doh-mahy-koh-sis], also known as Valley fever, California disease, desert rheumatism, and San Joaquin valley fever is an infection which is caused by the fungi Coccidioides (kok-sid-e-OY-deze) immitis or C. posadasii. A person or animal can contract the infection by breathing in dust which contain these fungi. The dust containing these fungi spores is usually caused by soil which is disturbed by dust storms (Figure 1), construction, or earthquakes ("Coccidioidomycosis," 2013, p. 508).
Demographics
Valley Fever is endemic in arid regions of Central and Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Western Texas, and Northern Mexico. This geographical region is called the Lower Sonoran Life Zone. People who live