From the article: Valley Fever
Valley Fever is an ailment that typically affects people who are exposed to a lot of dust, making it common in the Southwest deserts. Some people have it and never know it; some people have serious complications from it. If you have had or currently have Valley Fever, share your experience here. Was it diagnosed quickly? Were you hospitalized? What were your symptoms? Some people also have dogs that contract Valley fever, and those experiences are welcome here, too.
Important note: I am not a doctor. None of the stories shared here have been verified, nor do I or About.com recommend any treatments that might be mentioned here. If you believe you might have Valley Fever contact your doctor and ask for the appropriate tests.
Share Your Experience
Important note: I am not a doctor. None of the stories shared here have been verified, nor do I or About.com recommend any treatments that might be mentioned here. If you believe you might have Valley Fever contact your doctor and ask for the appropriate tests.
Share Your Experience
Annie
- Don't know for sure if I have it, but for the last few days have had fever, chills, sore throat, cough, achey muscles & joints and now a rash. I've lived in AZ since 1996 and am normally a healthy, active 59 years old. I will treat with honey, ginger and cinnamon, which are all antifungals, since I am on disability and can't afford a doctor. [Comment from About.com Phoenix Guide: Annie, there is no way to diagnosis your symptoms online, but it sounds like you need medical assistance ASAP. If you are not on AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program, maybe try calling 2-1-1 or 877-211-8661 and see if they can help.]
- —Guest Annie
Three years of Valley Fever
- I am from Colorado and was in Tucson for two days and got Valley Fever. They misdiagnosed me in the ER with pneumonia and it wasn't until a friend told me about VF that I asked my DR. for a blood test. I tested positive and have been on antifungal medications ever since then. I have never had any coughing or chest pain but continue to have bad headaches and I feel like I have mono. On my bad days all I want to do is sleep. I got this when I was 47 yrs. old and am a white female. I mention this because anyone can get it at any age! I have also had two lumbar punctures due to the headaches, VF can travel to your brain. I have hope and can only pray that some day my body will be healthy again.
- —Guest moerob
board of health
- I,ve been sick for years with signs.I live in az. It wasnt till the board of health called and asked how my treatment was going. No one even told me i had it. Still not getting treated!!
- —Guest kathy,az
13 yrs of vally fever
- I was diagnosed with valley fever 13 yrs ago they thought it was lung canser but it turned out to be valley fever they removed part of my left lung gave me antifual medicines and told me I was cured. I know it can come back. how do I know if it has what should my dr. look for or what tests can be run. I am now 57 yrs old and just need information
- —Guest steven shltz
VF Survivor
- I was diagnosed with VF back in 2010. After going to the ER multiple times. I did not have the cough, however I did have all the other symptoms including the red bumps that oosed puss and nodules inside my lungs. I was misdiagnosed with multiple of other things. It was not till my breathing was bad I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital, after 6 hours they finally admitted me, puzzled w/what was wrong. They called in a CDC doctor. One look at my legs he immediately tested for VF. I was the antifungal med for months, almost a year. Still today I have issues breathing and fatigue. It can take years to recover from it for some.
- —Guest Angel
Valley fever
- Hi I had valley fever two years ago. It was bad my legs had spots all over high fever vomiting body aches swelling in my legs. Went to hospital and they couldn't figure it out just drugged me up. I do everything natural I believe in natural healing I take oregano drops and aloe Vera a shot a day. I went to a skin doc and that's how I found out. God bless to all and stay positive and don't have fear pray for healing.
- —Guest Erica
do I have it?
- I've lived in AZ over half my life. There's been a lot of construction with the revitalization efforts. Also lots of wind, with gusts up to 35 - 45 miles peer hours just a week or two ago. We all have the cough, aches, sinus issues, sore throat. And Mike has a fever with heat rash.
- —Guest Shauna
I am Pretty Sure I Have It
- I cough very very hard and long about every 7 minutes and I have wheezing and shortness of breath. I have a headache and feel tired and hot. I think I might be on of the 5% who need surgery... I got blood tested and the results are being put together. If I do have valley fever I can tell you that it is very horrible to go through...
- —Guest James
Got It in PHX
- Last time we were in AZ, I came home with a really horrible cough that would not go away. It got progressively worse and I was keeping my hubs up all night. We checked with local internist but he didn't know what it was? Then we contacted my doctor in MO. I was given a pulsed schedule of anti fungal meds. The cough lessened and went away in about 5 days. We are going back to PHX soon so I am checking to see if it's possible to get it again.
- —Guest Colugher
i have it
- took a trip from nc to ca. stopped in az for a night. got home and started a terrible cough and chest pain. fever 100.7. worth the fun though.
- —Guest glenn
Long Ago
- Im 20 yrs old. I was diagnosed with valley fever yrs ago about the age of 13 or so. I didn't understand much of what was going on. Phoenix children's is where i under went many tests and treatment i was there for about 2 months it was awesome(no school;) Anyways I dont remember the final say but hey im still alive. I heard it never goes away. Is that true?
- —Guest keeta murry
Valley Fever
- I came down with valley Fever in January. The doctors misdiagnosed it, and only tested for it after my wife insisted I be tested for it. Up until then the doctors had no idea. I live in SF Bay Area, couldn't happened, they said. Still dealing with it and very real incompetence on part of my hospital.
- —Guest Frank Navarro
Happy to be alive!
- My doctor misdiagnosed me even when I had BIG symptoms I had red painful knots on my legs and feet , and I had pneumonia ,fevers, joint aches,tiredness , finally got fed up went to the e.r and found out I have valley fever, I'm happy it didn't go to my spine, or brain, I'm on meds now for. 6 month to a 1yr
- —Guest Cece18
VERY WORRIED
- MY sister is still so sick after over a year, now here gums & throat are bloody red, she is so allergic to the antibiotics...please HELP!!!
- —Guest Pam fromCa
Valley Fever - The Worst!
- While on vacation to AZ in June 2012, I got so sick - high fever, bronchitis, largynitis, muscle aches, sinusitis - Wound up going to Urgent Care - got antibiotics and other drugs - I didn't start to feel better for weeks with a lingering cough. It ruined my vacation.
- —Guest LucyBeagle
I thought i was crazy!
- Went through Sacramento started feeling sick 3 weeks later went to the doctor With all the symptoms listed above And finally a young intern at Balboa hospital in California diagnosed me while the treatment is not pleasant at least I know I am not losing my mind, if 1 doctor tell you there is nothing wrong and you still feel sick keep going till you get an an swer because that is what happened to me! -diagnoised September 1991
- —Guest Shell from Cali!
Get the Test!
- According the Arizona Health Department's web site, Valley Fever occurrences in 2011 have already topped 12,000 cases with November and December not yet reported. Valley Fever accounts for two thirds of all reportable diseases in Arizona according to the statistical data found on that site. Apparently only 1 in 10 new cases with symptoms are reported as Valley Fever. That is because most doctors here don't know how to diagnose or treat it, as I learned the hard way. After ten months, my local doctor couldn't figure out what was going on and NEVER ordered a cocci blood test. It took a doctor at the Williams Field VA Clinic just a few minutes to decide to administer the test, and the VA Hospital less than 3 days to confirm that I was dying of pneumonia from Valley Fever. Within a week I was on the mend though it took months. The VA saved my life. I fired my local doctor.
- —Dr. RT
