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    Valley Fever

    What are the causes & symptons of Valley Fever. Can dogs cause this ,especially if sleeping in the bed under the covers

    0  Views: 386 Answers: 1 Posted: 12 years ago
    Tags: 15gkids

    1 Answer

    The fungi that cause valley fever — Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii — thrive in the alkaline desert soils of southern Arizona, Nevada, northern Mexico and California's San Joaquin Valley. They're also endemic to New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Central and South America — areas with mild winters and arid summers.


    Like many other fungi, coccidioides species have a complex life cycle. In the soil, they grow as a mold with long filaments that break off into airborne spores when the soil is disturbed. The spores are extremely small, can be carried hundreds of miles by the wind and are highly contagious. Once inside the lungs, the spores reproduce, perpetuating the cycle of the disease.


    Acute coccidioidomycosis (valley fever)
    The initial, acute form of coccidioidomycosis is often mild, with few, if any, symptoms. When signs and symptoms do occur, they appear one to three weeks after exposure. They tend to resemble those of the flu, and can range from minor to severe:



    • Fever

    • Cough

    • Chest pain — varying from a mild feeling of constriction to intense pressure resembling a heart attack

    • Chills

    • Night sweats

    • Headache

    • Fatigue

    • Shortness of breath

    • Joint aches

    • Red, spotty rash


    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/valley-fever/DS00695/DSECTION=causes


    I'm going to guess about the dog part of your question. I would say it's possible where Vally fever is caused but a ground fungas with break off spores. The spores could attach themselves to your dogs feet or fur then get carried into your bed. BUT since it's more of an airborne illness, you'd get it just as easily from simply breathing.


    Added info


    Risk factors
    By Mayo Clinic staff



    • Environmental exposure. Anyone who inhales the spores that cause valley fever is at risk of infection. Some experts estimate that up to half the people living in areas where valley fever is common have been infected. People who have jobs that expose them to dust are most at risk — construction, road and agricultural workers, ranchers, archeologists, and military personnel on field exercises.

    • Race. For reasons that aren't well understood, Filipinos, Hispanics, blacks, Native Americans and Asians are more susceptible to developing serious infection with coccidioidomycosis than are whites.

    • Pregnancy. Pregnant women are vulnerable to more serious coccidioidomycosis during the third trimester and new mothers are vulnerable right after their babies are born.

    • Diabetes. Valley fever infection may be more severe among people with diabetes.

    • Weakened immune system. Anyone with a weakened immune system is at increased risk of serious complications, including disseminated disease. This includes people living with AIDS or those being treated with steroids, chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs after transplant surgery. People with cancer and Hodgkin's disease also have an increased risk.

    • Age. Older adults are more likely to develop valley fever. This may be because their immune systems are less robust or because they have other medical conditions that affect their overall health.



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