Valley Fever Case Study

Fungal diseases have been recently introduced into the medical field. Fungi are a part of the domain Eukarya, where it once was considered in the plant kingdom. The domain Eukarya is consistent with eukaryotic organisms that contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Fungal diseases are more difficult to treat compared to antibiotics for bacterial diseases because the fungus and the host are eukaryotic organisms. Therefore, any treatment of the fungus may affect the host too and can develop resistance to antifungal medication. An example of a fungal disease that affect individuals within regions with drier conditions is coccidioidomycosis, popularly known as Valley Fever. Valley Fever affects individuals when dusty air containing

The geographic distribution of Valley Fever in North America is most prevalent the southwestern United States more specifically in Arizona and California. About 150,000 reported Valley Fever cases have been located within Arizona (Johnson, L. et al, 2014). There have been 926 cases reported in the month of November in 2017 according to the Arizona Department of Health Services (Alltucker, 2017). According to the article “Valley Fever: danger lurking in a dust cloud,” Valley Fever initially appeared in the San Joaquin Valley, California around 1939 and many endemic cases are found in California compared to Arizona. There are many reasons for the contraction of Valley Fever such as major dust storms and changes in the environment. There are risk factors associated with Valley fever such as ethnicity, age, health status, and environment. It is more susceptible in individuals who are older in age, pregnant women, or individuals with weakened immune systems. “The risk of developing disseminated coccidioidomycosis is about 10-127 times greater in people of African-American and Filipino descent, due to a genetic component contributing to the development of the disseminated illness (Johnson, L. et al., 2014)”. Individuals who work in an outdoor environment where they are exposed to soil and dust has a higher risk of inhaling spores causing this fungal disease. For example, agricultural workers,

The development of Valley Fever in humans occurs when fungal spores are deposited into terminal bronchioles found in the lungs during inhalation. Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii dwell in dry, hot environments and releases its spores into the air as a mode of motility. Coccidioides enters a parasitic phase once embedded in the lungs. Early diagnosis may reveal flu-like symptoms, so many patients will for their immune system to activate. In some events, patients are able to recover. Valley Fever is predominantly in individuals with weakened immune systems like elderly or pregnant women, those who are exposed to dust and soil, or of African-American and Filipino descent. The increase in awareness of the symptoms associated with Valley Fever has improved treatments and prevention. Educating the population on the symptoms and risks can prevent worsening symptoms and spread of infection to other body parts before it can get worst. There are various risks in the world today, but it is an individual’s duty to seek out proper medical attention and