Valley Fever is contracted only by the inhalation of the fungal spores. Valley Fever is NOT spread from human to human, or animal to animal, or animal to human or human to animal. The spores change form in tissues of the body and are not contagious in tissue form. There is no prevention or vaccine at this time. Avoiding activities associated with dust and airborne dirt of native desert soil is recommended, but it is not a certain means of prevention.
Some occupations recommend wearing masks.
Use common sense and stay out of the blowing dust. Researchers within our center and in the U.S. are working on the development of a prophylactic vaccine. Symptoms usually develop within 7-28 days after exposure. When symptoms are present, the most common are fatigue, cough, fever, profuse sweating at night, loss of appetite, chest pain, generalized muscle and joint aches particularly of the ankles and knees. There may also be a rash that resembles measles or hives but develops more often as tender red bumps on the shins or forearms.