Coccidiomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis (pronunciation: kɒkˌsaɪdɪˌɔɪdoʊmaɪˈkoʊsɪs) is a fungal infection caused by the Coccidioides species, specifically Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. It is also known as Valley Fever, San Joaquin Valley Fever, or Desert Rheumatism.
Etymology
The term Coccidioidomycosis is derived from the Greek words kokkos (meaning grain), eidos (meaning form), mykes (meaning fungus), and -osis (meaning condition). The name refers to the spherical form of the fungal spores.
Symptoms
Coccidioidomycosis can present with a range of symptoms, from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia. Common symptoms include fever, cough, headache, rash, and muscle aches. In severe cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, joints, skin, and central nervous system.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is typically made through laboratory tests, such as serology tests, culture tests, and biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment for coccidioidomycosis depends on the severity of the infection. Mild cases often resolve on their own without treatment. Severe or disseminated infections may require antifungal medications, such as fluconazole or itraconazole.
Prevention
Prevention strategies for coccidioidomycosis include avoiding activities that stir up dust in areas where the Coccidioides fungus is common, such as the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Coccidiomycosis
- Wikipedia's article - Coccidiomycosis
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski