You may be given ketoconazole, itraconazole, or fluconazole. Another option for a severe case of valley fever is amphotericin B, which is given intravenously. If you develop certain other conditions due to the valley fever, such as meningitis, you may have to take antifungal medication for the rest of your life.
If this is the case, the doctor may put you in the hospital to treat the valley fever with antifungals while treating the other condition. For individuals experiencing more serious complications treatment may extend longer than six months.
If the arthritis and joint inflammation associated with valley fever is severe, you may have to have the fluid or abscesses in the bones or joints drained surgically. Bone may need to be surgically removed if osteomyelitis has occurred. [5] X Research source
Rest helps your body fight off the infection. You can stay at home to allow your body time to recover. Valley fever is not contagious, so you don’t have to worry about spreading it to others at work or school.
Try not to eat milk, cheese, or yogurt while you are trying to treat valley fever. Eliminate sugars, including those coming from honey, fruit, or fruit juice. Restrict intake of beer and other foods or drinks containing yeast. Focus on eating foods that are unprocessed or uncooked during the treatment period.
Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium supplements may help restore a health normal flora within the gut. You may also want to try aloe vera, basil, cinnamon, cloves, magnesium, manganese, oregano, thyme, wheat germ, or zinc. They all have antifungal properties that may help.
If you have a severe case of valley fever or have a compromised immune system, always see your doctor.
Your joints or bones may start to ache, like you have arthritis. A rash may also appear with valley fever. The rash includes red painful bumps on the lower part of your legs. The rash may also appear on the chest, arms, or back. The bumps might turn from red to a brown color. Bumps may also have heads like pimples or form blisters. Many times, valley fever presents no symptoms.
The doctor will either do a smear culture or a blood test. These will show that the valley fever fungus is in your body.
Jobs that disturb the earth or have a person digging in the soil exponentially increase the risk of contracting the disease. Recreational activities where you disturb the soil or inhale dust from the soil, such as biking or riding ATVs, may increase your risk.
This includes those who are HIV positive, pregnant women, diabetics, and people who take medications that make the immune system weaker. Certain ethnicities are at a higher risk: Filipinos, African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans.
