Coccidiomycosis is the fungus responsible for valley fever.

• It exists in the soil of Arizona and California and causes diseases when it is inhaled.

• causes numerous symptoms including lung disease

• shortness of breath

• cough

• tiredness

Sometimes it can be life threatening and can cause disease in organs other than the lungs.

• In most patients the diagnosis is made by a blood test

• In some patients the diagnosis may be hard to make as the blood test may be negative in those patients

• a biopsy

• or a bronchoscope may be needed