Valley fever is caused by fungi called coccidioides that are found in the alkaline desert soil of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and California. You can get infected and develop valley fever if you breath the fungal spores. In many cases valley fever does not produce any symptoms and you may be exercising without even knowing you are infected. However, if you are experiencing symptoms, exercise may make them worse. Consult your doctor about treatment, recovery time and exercising if you have valley fever.
Symptoms
Acute alley fever is usually a mild disease, with only few symptoms and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60 percent of valley fever infections do not cause any. Symptoms can resemble a flu-like illness with fever, cough, chest pain, chills, night sweats, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath and red rash. The rash may be painful with red bumps that can turn brown later on. The Valley Fever Survivor website reports that symptoms may also include joint pain, swelling and stiffness and muscle aches and stiffness.
Chronic Valley Fever
In some cases, acute infection can develop to chronic infection, associated with pneumonia or disseminated infection. People who have increased risk of developing disseminated infection include people with weakened immune system, diabetes, people of African-American, Asian or Filipino descent and pregnant women. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis can be very severe with symptoms such as meningitis, lesions in the skull, spine or bones and swollen joints.
Treatment: Rest
Most people with acute infection do not need any medical treatment. The best therapy for healthy adults is usually bed rest and fluids, according to MayoClinic.com. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, antifungal medication may be prescribed. The CDC reports that in case of chronic or disseminated infection, antifungal drugs are necessary. The downside of antifungal medications is that they can have serious side effects including nausea,vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain that disappear once you stop the medication. Most people recover from valley fever within weeks to months. However, recovery from chronic or disseminated infection can take six months to a year.
Exercise
Since bed rest is the most common form of treatment for valley fever, exercising may not be recommended. In addition, exercising during valley fever infection may worsen your symptoms, according to the Valley Fever Survivor. Exercise can overstress your body which can make your infection worse. However, Valley Fever Survivor also reports that some patients may be instructed to exercise as a part of their therapy. If you have been diagnosed with valley fever, talk to your health care provider before you begin an exercise program.
