As Tucson experiences more monsoon storm activity, Banner Health experts are warning the public about the risks of Valley fever.
About two-thirds of all cases in the U.S. occur in Tucson and Phoenix. Because of the significant dust storms that often occur during Arizona’s monsoon, residents may face an increased risk of acquiring Valley fever. Banner Health officials say this is due to the combination of dry desert soil and wind can result in more fungus spores spreading through the air over large distances.
The National Weather Service in Tucson forecasted scattered showers and thunderstorms Thursday afternoon into the evening for southeast Arizona. Weather officials cautioned of gusty winds with locally heavy rain and isolated flash flooding.
Here’s what to know about Valley fever and monsoon activity.
What is Valley fever?
The infection is caused by inhaled spores of a fungus, Coccidioides, which is native to soils of the region and can be a potentially dangerous disease that is endemic to the American Southwest.
Typical symptoms for valley fever are cough, chills, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue which also mimic the symptoms of pneumonia.
“While many people infected by Valley fever may not require medical treatment, it can wreak havoc in some cases for those with compromised immune systems or other pre-existing conditions,” said John Galgiani, MD.
Galgiani is the director for the Banner — University Medicine Valley Fever Program and director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence.
“It’s also important to understand that there is always a risk of acquiring Valley fever here, not just when there are dust storms or windy conditions,” he said.
How do you know if you have Valley fever?
Valley fever often goes undetected and can appear indistinguishable from COVID-19, bacterial pneumonia and even lung cancer without specific testing.
Physicians sometimes order a course of antibiotics after misdiagnosing symptoms, which has no effect on Valley fever.
To address this, Banner Urgent Care expanded its testing for Valley fever. Banner officials announced on Aug. 21 that patients who have pneumonia or red bumps on their shins and also live in an area where the disease is common will automatically receive a test.
The testing protocol also considers other scenarios for patients who present with other symptoms or factors that could be indicative of a Valley fever infection. Even when treatment is not needed, knowing that Valley fever is the cause of a patient’s illness often reduces the need for repeated or unnecessary tests that can be costly.
“Because symptoms can vary in severity and the fact that the disease can lead to serious complications if it progresses unchecked, it’s extremely important that we ensure accurate diagnoses to rule out Valley fever for our patients,” said Robert Johns, DO, medical director of Banner Urgent Care.
The goal is to help the community avoid unnecessary antibiotic use and stay safe from the disease through early detection and proper follow up, he said.
Each year, around 20,000 cases of Valley fever are reported in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the agency says it is underdiagnosed and thousands of cases are not reported.
The estimated true burden is around 206,000-360,000 cases per year, 10-18 times more than reported, according to the CDC.
The agency also reports about 200 deaths per year in the nation but suggests the true number is closer to between 700 to 1,100 deaths annually.
Is Valley fever contagious?
The disease is not contagious, and those who have been infected acquire lifetime immunity to a second infection.
Anyone can acquire Valley fever, including children and pets.
According to the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence, it is treatable and often manageable in dogs, but it is not always permanently curable in the traditional sense.
Many dogs recover completely with long-term antifungal medication, but others may need lifelong treatment to keep the fungus under control.
Is there a cure for Valley fever?
The University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence discovered a vaccine that is in development by Anivive Lifesciences for dogs and eventually for people.
Until it becomes available, community members are encouraged to be aware of the risks the disease may pose, avoid dusty conditions if possible, and request a test from their health provider if experiencing symptoms.
