Valley fever risk may be high this year, California officials warn in wake of music festival outbrea

[Grim Reaper 6]

Valley fever, medically known as coccidioidomycosis, is a lung infection caused by Coccidioides, a fungus found in soil. The disease does not spread from person to person. People usually contract the illness by breathing in fungal spores from the environment, which leads to symptoms of cough, fever and shortness of breath. The infection can also cause night sweats, muscle aches and a rash on the upper body or legs.

Around 5% to 10% of people who catch valley fever develop long-term lung problems, and in about 1% of people who contract it, the infection can spread out of the lungs and affect the skin, bones, joints or brain. In these severe cases, the disease can be deadly. The infection can be treated with antifungal drugs..

https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/valley-fever-risk-may-be-high-this-year-california-officials-warn-in-wake-of-music-festival-outbreak