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...

2oldman wrote:Saw an episode of 'Monsters inside me' last night that concerned me.There's a virus 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...Google " Valley Fever ". That is what you're speaking of.. It is in the soil of hot dusty climates......Central California has it in the soil...... Southern Arizona is also know to have that ...as well as other places around the country. It IS possible to breath the dust and get infected by the spores in the dust. I have never come across anyone in these areas wearing a dust mask....and thousands or even millions of people visit and live in these areas ..... few come down with Valley Fever..... which will not give you Bronchitis, but the symptoms are worse and longer lasting. PS: I suggest you get a Pneumonia shot at next opportunity .... that will quite likely curtail your getting Bronchitis every couple years.... it worked for me and others I know. Ask your Doctor.

Several years ago, by BIL had a small cut on his right fore arm and was changing oil on his car in his dirt driveway. In the process he rolled over and the cut was in contact with the dirt.Several days later, his arm started swelling, and experiencing a discoloration and slight pain. This went on for several days until his wife insisted he go to urgent care. He was diagnosed with a skin eating bacteria and was immediately transported to a burn center. He spent a month in the hospital getting skin grafts from his thighs and almost lost his entire arm. He still has some very ugly scars.Gotta be careful of dirt...Ron

Ed_Gee wrote:Google " Valley Fever ". That is what you're speaking of.. Yes, that's it.

We were working in a North Texas outside SPACE SURVEILLANCE facility and one of the South Carolina SPAWARs workers got a whole bunch of settled dust in his face from the top of an electronics rack in a field building. He passed out and went straight to the floor... Had to take him to hospital right away. We learned the dust was mostly mice droppings etc... The mice around that part of Texas are large with larger ears then regular mice I am accustomed too. I think they are called deer mice...The put him on a bunch of medicine and watched him for a day or two. He got better...Was a very scary moment for all of us workers there...Roy Ken

Pets can also get valley fever.The big problem is if you get it and travel back home to an area where it isn't present your doctors will laugh at you because they are unaware. We had problems returning to Wyoming. The majority of doctors up here were totally unaware of what it was or what caused it. I had to go to a specialist in Montana at a larger facility where doctors were more informed. It is important to inform doctors where you were so they can diagnose it better. They have a blood test for it. Pneumonia shot in previous post was good advise.

Fungus among us in the dirt | Good Sam Community

covetsthesun
Explorer
Dec 23, 2015
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
Explorer
Dec 23, 2015
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
Explorer
Dec 22, 2015
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
Explorer
Dec 22, 2015
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
Explorer II
Dec 22, 2015
cruiserjs wrote:
valley fever is caused by a fungus in dry soils. Not a Virus
Yes, thank you. I've corrected it.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
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
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
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
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
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
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
The other issue is Hanta Virus. It can be fatal and is in the same region.
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
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.

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