Coccidioidomycosis refers to an infection that you can get when you inhale the spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis. The disease is only found in some parts of the Western Hemispheree -- parts of Central and South America, as well as southern Arizona, west Texas, southern New Mexico, and central California. Basically, if there is an arid climate, with very few freezes, and primarily alkali-based soil, you have ripe conditions for coccidioidomycosis.
Instructions
1. Learn about how you can get coccidioidomycosis. All you have to do is inhale the spores -- inside your lungs, they will change into "spherules" -- or round cells. It takes 1-3 weeks for a respiratory infection to set in. Usually, this infection will take care of itself, but it can also turn in to an ongoing pulmonary problem, or turn into meningitis -- about 1 out of every 4 patients have the condition turn into meningitis.
2. Check out these symptoms to see if you have this condition!About 50 percent of all patients with coccidioidomycosis do not show any symptoms, other than a really bad cough. So, if you have a very persistent cough, you want to get this checked out.However, if you do have symptoms, they could range among the following:Chest painShortness of breathFeverFatigueA fine papular rashVerrucose or Keratotic ulcersAbscesses beneath the skin(and, the worst of all) Meningitis
3. Your physician will run culture tests to see if you have coccidioidmycosis, taken from fluids that you cough up. The medication that your doctor prescribes will depend on the specific form of the condition, but all forms involve extensive use of antibiotics. The good news -- if you catch it early, you won't get meningitis, which is a whole different ballgame.
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