What are the long-term effects of river valley fever?

Long-term effects of river valley fever (coccidioidomycosis)

In most people, the signs and symptoms of milder infections with valley fever clear up, and there are no lasting effects. However, as many as one-third of people who have valley fever develop severe and potentially life-threatening complications involving the lungs — such as pneumonia, a lung cavity, and spread of the infection to the membranes surrounding the lungs.

Rarely, the infection may spread to other organs, such as the skin, bones, joints, brain and heart, and become extremely serious.

Risk factors

Some people are more likely to experience serious problems with valley fever, such as:

- People older than 60

- People with weakened immune systems

- People of African, Filipino or Mexican heritage

- Pregnant women

- People with diabetes or other significant health conditions

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have symptoms of valley fever that worsen or don't improve, or if you have any unexplained symptoms after visiting an area where Coccidioides fungus lives.