Cocci Are in the Air

The San Joaquin Valley in Central California is a semiarid region that is known to be highly endemic for coccidioidomycosis infections in high-risk groups. Coccidioidomycosis, also known as valley fever, is caused by the fungal spore Coccidioides, which can be found in the soil in arid and semiarid regions in the Southwest United States and parts of Central and South America. When soil is disturbed through excavation, agricultural activities, or with any other soil movement, these activities can release the fungal spores into air; people who are in close proximity can potentially inhale them. The purpose of this clinical case study is to address the need for coccidioidomycosis infection awareness and educate primary care providers to determine the diagnostic reasoning and process. A simple algorithm and template will aid them to accurately diagnose and treat patients with valley fever earlier in the disease process.