Symptoms

Valley fever can start with common symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain and headaches, and can include other symptoms such as muscle aches, tiredness, joint pain, appetite loss or unusual rashes on the torso, arms and legs. The symptoms may look like influenza or pneumonia (lung infection). Most people do well and recover from Valley fever without any specific treatment.

In more severe cases, Valley fever can develop into chronic pneumonia or meningitis (brain infection). It can also infect bones, joints, skin or other organs. These cases in general will need specific treatments as well as long-term follow-ups. The diagnosis of Valley fever can be made by a simple blood test. If confirmed, your physician may consider initiating the specific treatment for Valley fever.