New warning about valley fever as Arizona cases hit 13-year high

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Do you know the signs and symptoms of valley fever?

Cases hit a decade-high, and doctors want to ensure you know what to look for, especially with friends and family coming into town for the holidays.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has seen more than 14,000 cases of valley fever so far this year.

Valley fever is caused by a fungal infection. It’s not contagious, but it is often misdiagnosed and can make you very sick.

Its symptoms are the same as those of the flu or COVID-19, so many people brush it off as a virus – sometimes even doctors.

“That’s not an unusual situation where we have people visiting from out of state, and they go back to their home state, and then they develop an illness that ends up being diagnosed as valley fever,” said Dr. Wassim Ballan, an infectious disease specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Ballan is encouraging Arizonans to educate visiting loved ones about the illness.

“Usually, we don’t expect that there would be this awareness of valley fever outside the state of Arizona, so it’s something we want people to keep in mind,” Ballan said.

The fungus that causes valley fever is unique to southwestern soil.

According to CDC data, valley fever cases increase during hot and dry periods. The Phoenix area has not had rain in months.

“The fungus releasing, if you want to call them spores, they hang out in the air and then they get breathed in through the lungs,” Ballan said.

Ballan says about 40% of those infected get symptoms, which can worsen over time.

“They seek medical care. They get diagnosed with pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia, so they start on antibiotics, and they don’t respond. So they get on a different course of antibiotics and so on,” said Ballan.

He says many have never even heard of valley fever, especially if they aren’t from Arizona or recently moved here.

This is the case with one Valley resident, Michael, who was hiking on Friday.

“I’ve not been here that long, maybe 18 months, so I’ve still got a lot to learn, I guess,” he said.

Ballan says it’s important to stay vigilant this holiday season.

“Because valley fever can present in a similar way to other respiratory infections, that’s a good reminder to try to prevent those other infections by making sure you’re vaccinated,” he said.

You can get valley fever from hiking or being out in the desert, but also, because it’s in the air, anyone can be exposed.

Valley fever is treated with antifungal medications.

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