Risk Factors of Valley Fever
The following are risk factors for valley fever:
- Environmental exposure: Anyone who breathes in the valley fever spores is susceptible to illness. People who reside in locations where the fungi are widespread are at a higher risk, particularly those who spend a lot of time outside. Additionally, those who work in dusty environments are particularly at danger, including construction, road, and agricultural workers, ranchers, archaeologists, and military personnel participating in field training.
- Race: People with Filipino and African ancestry are more likely to experience severe fungal infections for unknown reasons.
- Pregnancy: When an infection occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy, pregnant women are more susceptible to more severe infections. As soon as their children are born, new mothers are particularly susceptible.
- Weakened Immune system: Anyone with a compromised immune system is more vulnerable to severe consequences. This includes persons who have AIDS [1] or who are undergoing steroid, chemotherapy, or anti-rejection medication therapy following organ transplant surgery. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) medication users who have certain autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease, are also more likely to get an infection.
- Diabetes: Severe lung infections could be more common in diabetics. [2]
- Age: Valley fever is more likely to affect older persons. This can be due to weaker immune systems or other medical issues that have an impact on their general health.