A Little Dirt Can Hurt
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| Fidel Cortez |
It’s called Valley Fever, and it strikes regardless of age or health – anyone is vulnerable. Valley Fever’s source originates from the soil when it’s stirred up or disturbed. A tiny spore enters the lungs just by breathing in dust.
Fidel Cortez, a nurse at Community Medical Centers’ ambulatory infusion center, said he never dreamed something in the dust and dirt would make him so sick after he helped his mom with yard work in Fresno.
“That’s the only time I can pinpoint. It wasn’t too long after that I came down with symptoms,” Cortez said. “I developed flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, just not feeling well. I thought I was coming down with a cold or the flu.”
No matter what Cortez tried, he just couldn’t shake off his symptoms, and they continued to get worse. Being a nurse, he knew it was more than the flu. After several examinations and tests over a few weeks, Cortez’s primary care physician pinpointed his problem.
“He did additional work at the time, a blood test, which came back positive with Valley Fever,” Cortez said.
UCSF Fresno’s Dr. Robert Libke is one of the region’s leading infectious disease specialists. He says the cause of this disease lives in soil and is spread through the air.
There are 150,000 people infected annually in the United States, Dr. Libke said.
“Most people who get Valley Fever don’t even know they have the germ in their body,” he said. “And that includes about two thirds of the people who have an infection. They don’t get sick enough to even warrant going to the doctor.”
But for the other third that does, Dr. Libke says Valley Fever will usually resolve on its own. However, the percentage who come down with symptoms that won’t resolve need more help.
“There’s a small number of people who have the severe form of the disease with a progressive pneumonia or the spread of the infection outside the lungs,” he said. “That occurs only in a very small portion of people who get Valley Fever.”
Dr. Libke says pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and those of Asian, Hispanic and African descent, may develop a more serious and sometimes fatal form of the infection.
“They don’t have a higher rate of infection, but when they do get an infection they’re more likely to have a progressive illness,” Dr. Libke said.
Although experts aren’t sure why, Cortez says because he’s Hispanic and considered a higher risk, he’s being extra diligent.
“My doctor is monitoring me close because of the incidence of African Americans, Hispanic and Asian population having increased complications from Valley Fever,” Cortez said.
Valley residents have reasons to be concerned about this disease. It’s commonly found in the southwestern United States, Mexico and parts of Central and South America, and there are hot spots in certain areas – like the Valley.
“The area is interesting because the farther south you go the more likely one is to acquire the disease from the soil and dust,” Dr. Libke explained. “Particularly in the southern San Joaquin Valley.”
According to Dr. Libke, Bakersfield has a higher incidence than Fresno; Fresno has a higher incidence than Modesto. Therefore, the farther north residents go, the less likely they are to acquire this disease.
“There also is a gradation from east to west. In the foothills and east side, there doesn’t seem to be the likelihood of getting this disease as there is in the western hills, particularly around Coalinga, Avenal and surrounding areas,” Dr. Libke said.
Valley Fever is not contagious but its effects can be debilitating.
“The few that do get it, it can be very serious, even fatal. I was lucky,” Cortez said.
Cortez is still on medication but his doctor says he’s improving and Cortez expects good results for the future.
“I’ll be off the medication soon and follow up with the doctor,” Cortez said. “I should be OK after that.”
Back at work and on the road to recovery, Cortez has a suggestion for those out in the dust or dirt in the Valley.
“It couldn’t hurt to wear a mask.”
This story was reported by Mary Lisa Russell. She can be reached at mrussell@communitymedical.org.