How well you do depends on the form of the disease you have and your overall health.

The outcome in acute disease is likely to be good. With treatment, the outcome is usually also good for chronic or severe disease (although relapses may occur). People with disseminated disease have a high death rate. Back to TopPossible Complications Widespread coccidioidomycosis may cause:

Collections of pus in the lung Lung abscesses Scarring of the lung

These problems are much more likely if you have a weakened immune system. A chronic form of this infection can develop 20 or more years after first infection. Lung abscesses can form and rupture, releasing pus (empyema) between the lungs and ribs (pleural space). Back to TopWhen to Contact a Medical Professional Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of coccidioidomycosis or if your condition does not improve with treatment. Back to TopPrevention Taking care of your health will help keep the disease in the benign pulmonary form. Preventing AIDS or other causes of immune system damage will usually prevent the more severe forms of the disease. People with immune problems (such as AIDS patients and those who are on drugs that suppress the immune system) should avoid travel to areas where this fungus is found, if they want to reduce their risk of getting this rare, chronic disorder. DEFINITION Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is caused by the Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii fungi, which thrive in alkaline desert soils and areas with mild winters and dry, arid summers. They are mostly found in southern Arizona, Nevada, northern Mexico, Central America and the San Joaquin Valley in California (hence the name of the disease). Valley fever symptoms happen when an individual inhales the spores of the fungus, and the organism takes host in the lungs. Spores can be easily spread into the air and dust via construction, walking or the wind, so it is estimated that 30-60 percent of individuals living in parts endemic to the fungus have been exposed to the organism. While in most cases, valley fever goes away by itself, acute and serious cases can cause further complications if the fungus moves from the lungs to other parts of the body causing other medical problems.