What Is Valley Fever? One Arizona Surprise I Wish I'd Known Before Moving Here
Debbie Atwood/ Realty One Group
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When I moved from Washington to Arizona, I expected to learn a few things.
I knew I'd have to adjust to the summer heat. I knew the landscape would be completely different. And eventually I learned that Arizona monsoon season is nothing like the rain I'd known in Washington.
But there was something else I had never heard about:
Valley Fever.
Here's the part that got my attention when I first learned about it:
You can get sick from breathing microscopic fungal spores found in Arizona soil and dust.
Welcome to the desert!
Before that sentence scares anyone away from Arizona, there's quite a bit more to the story.
What is Valley Fever?
Valley Fever is a lung infection caused by fungi called Coccidioides. The fungus lives in soil in parts of the southwestern United States, with Arizona being one of the areas where it is particularly common. CDC
Its official medical name is coccidioidomycosis.
I'm putting that in writing because I have absolutely no intention of trying to pronounce it every time I talk about this. 😂
How do you get Valley Fever?
When soil containing the fungus is disturbed, microscopic spores can become airborne.
Construction, excavation and other activities that disturb dirt can increase exposure. Dust storms can also cause spores to become airborne. If you breathe those spores into your lungs, you can develop Valley Fever. CDC
That doesn't mean every cloud of Arizona dust contains Valley Fever spores, nor does it mean everyone exposed will become ill.
In fact, many people who are infected never develop symptoms. The CDC estimates about 40% of infections result in symptoms.CDC
What are the symptoms of Valley Fever?
Symptoms usually appear about one to three weeks after exposure and can include:
Fatigue
Cough
Fever
Headache
Shortness of breath
Night sweats
Muscle aches or joint pain
Rash
For many people who become ill, symptoms resolve over a period of weeks or months. CDC
The tricky part is obvious: those symptoms can look like plenty of other respiratory illnesses.
If you've recently moved to Arizona and don't know Valley Fever exists, it may not even occur to you to ask about it.
Can Valley Fever become serious?
Yes, although serious complications are much less common.
The CDC reports that approximately 5 to 10% of people who get Valley Fever develop serious or long-term lung problems. In about 1% of cases, the infection spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body, which can include the skin, bones, joints, brain or spinal cord. CDC
Some people have a greater risk of developing severe disease. Anyone concerned about personal risk, symptoms, diagnosis or treatment should talk with a healthcare professional. CDC
How common is Valley Fever in Arizona?
Common enough that I think people moving here should at least know its name.
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 14,763 Valley Fever cases in Arizona in 2024, including 986 inpatient hospitalizations. Director's Blog
That's why I don't think Valley Fever should be treated as some strange bit of Arizona trivia.
You don't need to be afraid of it.
But you should know about it.
Is Valley Fever contagious?
Generally, no.
Valley Fever isn't normally spread from one person to another. People typically become infected by breathing fungal spores from the environment.
Dogs and cats can get Valley Fever too, but it doesn't normally spread between people and animals either. CDC
Can you prevent Valley Fever?
There isn't a guaranteed way to prevent it while living in an area where the fungus exists.
The CDC recommends reducing exposure to dust and disturbed soil when possible. Activities that disturb soil, as well as windstorms, can increase the chance of breathing in spores. CDC
If you're experiencing symptoms or are concerned about your individual risk, that's a conversation to have with your healthcare provider.
Wait... Valley Fever has been found in Washington too?
This surprised me.
The fungus that causes Valley Fever has been found in south-central Washington. CDC
After living in Washington for so many years, I don't remember Valley Fever being something people regularly talked about.
It certainly wasn't something I knew about.
Would Valley Fever have stopped me from moving to Arizona?
No.
Not even close.
But would I have liked somebody to say, “Hey Debbie, there's this thing called Valley Fever you should probably know about”?
Absolutely.
And that's becoming the point of this entire series.
Moving to another state isn't just about finding a house.
It's learning a completely different environment, from weather and wildlife to roads, neighborhoods, local customs and apparently fungi with names I can't pronounce.
There are things you know to research before you move.
Then there are the things you don't know you don't know.
Those are the things I want to talk about in My Move to Arizona: What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Moved Here.
FAQs
Is Valley Fever caused by a virus or bacteria?
Neither. It's caused by a fungus called Coccidioides that lives in soil in certain geographic areas. CDC
Can I catch Valley Fever from another person?
Ordinary person-to-person transmission does not occur. Infection generally comes from breathing fungal spores from the environment. CDC
How soon do symptoms appear?
When symptoms occur, they usually begin about one to three weeks after exposure. CDC
Does everyone exposed to Valley Fever get sick?
No. Many infected people never develop symptoms. CDC
Can dogs get Valley Fever?
Yes. Dogs and cats can develop Valley Fever, but it doesn't normally spread between animals and people. CDC
Is Valley Fever only found in Arizona?
No. The fungus is associated with several areas of the southwestern United States and has also been identified in south-central Washington.
Contact:
Debbie Atwood ~ Realtor, Realty One Group
📞 425-750-4970
