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Coccidioides immitis is a fungal pathogen that causes the disease valley fever (Coccidioidomycosis).

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C. immitis grows in the dirt of warm, dry environments. The spores get stirred up into the air, causing people to breathe in the spores and become infected with valley fever.

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Valley fever normally infects the residents of the desert areas of southwestern United States and parts of Central and South America. People traveling to these areas have a very low risk of contacting the disease.

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Although many people breathe in the C. immits spore, the majority of people do not get valley fever. People that are over the age of sixty have a higher risk of getting valley fever. People that have a weakened immune system have a higher risk of developing a severe form of valley fever.

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People that have cancer, HIV, or have had an organ transplant are examples of people with weakened immune systems. Because of their weak immune system, they have a high chance of getting widespread (disseminated) coccidioidomycosis.

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Symptoms of valley fever normally appear 5 to 21 days after being in contact with the fungal spore. The common symptoms can be mistaken for cold or flu symptoms. These symptoms can include any of the ones showed below as well as shortness of breath, a cough, night sweats, or ankle, feet, and leg swelling.

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People who have a more severe form of valley fever, disseminated coccidioidomycosis, have more severe symptoms. Skin lesions are one of the first signs that a person has disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Other symptoms are weight loss, change in mental status, enlarged or draining lymph nodes, and severe lung symptoms.

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Diagnosis of normal valley fever can be achieved by a chest x-ray, blood test, sputum culture, or sputum smear. When it is a more severe case of valley fever, a bone marrow biopsy, biopsy of the lymph node, lung, or liver, or a spinal tap may be used to diagnose.

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The treatment for valley fever is fairly simple. If the person has a healthy immune system, commonly the disease will go away without any treatment. If the person has a severe case, they should use an antifungal treatment that is prescribed by their doctor, such as fluconazole or itraconazole. In a very severe case, the infected part of the lung has to be removed.

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It is very difficult to avoid breathing in C. immitis spores, but there are some measure that can be taken to help prevent inhalation of the spores. These measures include staying out of dusty areas. If a person cannot avoid the dusty area, they should wear a mask. They should also avoid activities that involve handling dirt, such as yard work and gardening.