Fungus among us in the dirt

[2oldman]

Saw an episode of 'Monsters inside me' last night that concerned me.

There's a virus (edit: no, fungus) that lives in the ground in the Southwest US (AZ in particular) that can travel in blowing sand. So, if you're in a windy place, you should wear a mask and try not to breathe that stuff.

I wonder if this was the reason I was getting Bronchitis every couple years when I first starting wintering here.. ? Hmm...

[covetsthesun]

Hanta Virus was in Kansas back in the late 90's. I think a pregnant woman in Topeka was cleaning her garage or something and died from it. I remember a run on mouse traps here in the KC area at the time. Dust and dirt can carry any number of pathogens. I was cleaning out our garage a few months ago and got a bug bite dirty... within a few hours had red streaks running. Went to the doc immediately!

cts

[rockhillmanor]

Valley Fever Regions



Pets succumb to it because the first symptoms go unnoticed by the owners until it is full blown in their systems and then sadly it is usually to late to treat successfully. And since they are low to the ground and sniffing/digging around they are also more prone to get it. And very often are misdiagnosed on the onset.

[SCVJeff]

As a matter of fact it's called Valley Fever because the central California San Joquin Valley is ground zero for Valley Fever, and I'm told that the only lab in the country that can accurately test for Valley Fever is located in Bakersfield.

And anyone with Bronchitis and Pneumonia better get to the doc ASAP. I had both accompanied by the flu and just got released from the hospital after two months unable to walk (for now) because of it. That combination is no joke and highly fatal. I was also tested for valley fever and the results take at least 6 days to confirm. Depending on how sick you are, that in itself can be fatal..

[Budster]

aguablanco wrote:
Have lived in AZ for 26 years and never heard of anyone dying of Valley Fever, except a few pets. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

here is a link to the CDC definition of Valley Fever: click here

here is a link about deaths:click here

I have had VF since 6/2000 and it hit me real hard. I still take medications today as my immune system can not handle this fungus. You are never cured, it is always in your system, do not donate blood, do not donate organs as these can carry the fungus to the recipient.

[2oldman]

cruiserjs wrote:
valley fever is caused by a fungus in dry soils. Not a Virus

Yes, thank you. I've corrected it.

[rockhillmanor]

Valley Fever.
It is serious and treatment does not always cure it. Dogs die more readily from it than humans.
http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/valleyfeverinpets/vfid-prog.aspx

It is THE REASON I chose NOT to RV travel out west with my dogs.

[aguablanco]

Have lived in AZ for 26 years and never heard of anyone dying of Valley Fever, except a few pets. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Hantavirus is totally different. Not just in mortality but in locality. VF is mostly in the desert areas and can be wind borne. Hantavirus is mostly confined to the Four Corners area and is much more serious. Even better for Four Corners is the area has had outbreaks of The Plague, which was being watched for this past summer. I have been at Grand Canyon NP when at least one outbreak was ongoing a few years ago. Only one fatality as I recall, a researcher who was investigating a carcass. I am surprised that one would get a bad cough and flu like symptoms and wait months to get over it. While not common, VF has the ability to kill people with weakened immune systems if not treated. Anyone who visits our beautiful state and gets these symptoms should inform the medical personnel that they were in AZ and alert them to the possibility of VF. Hope this helps.
RichH

[Snowman9000]

bgum wrote:
The other issue is Hanta Virus. It can be fatal and is in the same region.

For those who don't know, that's the virus that can be in the mouse droppings. People get it from cleaning out attics and such. As mentioned in a post earlier in the thread.

[bgum]

The other issue is Hanta Virus. It can be fatal and is in the same region.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Our friend who lived in TX got Valley Fever and had it for a year before the VA finally diagnosed it properly thanks to a new doctor on staff there. He almost died. If you have a weakened immune system or frequent lung problems, I would wear a mask. Better be safe than sorry. Also make sure your doctors know that you travel in that area. Our friend only traveled through there from TX a couple of times a year and never really stayed there very long.

[cruiserjs]

2oldman wrote:

Ed_Gee wrote:
Google " Valley Fever ". That is what you're speaking of..

Yes, that's it.

Valley fever is caused by a fungus in dry soils. Not a Virus and thinking/treating that way is doomed to failure. When diagnosed properly is is NOT necessarily fatal. Way too much mis-information/ myth!!

[the_bear_II]

About 10 years ago my wife and I were selling items at the Main Event in Quartzsite. A very strong wind storm came through and we both had to stand under the awning covering our booth to keep it from ripping apart. We were in the wind and blowing sand for over an hour holding onto the awning.

Within a week my wife had flu like symptoms which turned into a cough that lasted for months. She felt rundown the whole time. The symptoms finally went away.

[Snowman9000]

Well, it's deadly like the flu is deadly, in general terms.

Here is some official info and statistics.
http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/coccidioidomycosis/index.html

[2oldman]

pasusan wrote:
I'm surprised you never heard of it...

Fortunately it's rare.. and deadly.