Valley Fever on the rise in San Luis Obispo County
—Valley fever, a fungal infection caused by breathing in spores from airborne dirt, has a reported 40 cases so far in San Luis Obispo County, according to Ann McDowell, an epidemiologist with the SLO County Public Health Department. In 2017, there were 333 reported cases. The number of reported cases in 2018 are higher than normal, according to McDowell.
Symptoms of valley fever include prolonged coughing, fever and chest pain, and show up around one to four weeks after exposure. If one to two weeks pass with continued coughing, it is recommended to visit a doctor, according to McDowell. Chest x-rays are not confirmed ways to catch valley fever as the symptoms can be confused with signs of pneumonia or other lung problems. Blood draws are an efficient method as antibodies will be present if there is a fungal infection. There is no vaccine for valley fever at the present.
There are preventative measures against valley fever, with the best method being staying away from dusty environments. Make sure to have good circulation and close windows if in a dusty area, such as working outside or driving on a dirt road. If working in a dusty area, the dirt can be wet down to avoid airborne dust particles. If contracted with valley fever, treatment with medicine can take between three to six months and can have long-term health problems in some cases.
