Presentation The illness is normally mild, with flu-like symptoms and rashes. The Mayo Clinic estimates that half the population in some affected areas have suffered from the disease. On occasion, those particularly susceptible may possibly develop a significant or even fatal illness from valley fever. Serious complications consist of severe pneumonia, lung nodules, and disseminated illness, where the fungus spreads throughout the body. The disseminated form of valley fever can devastate the body, causing skin ulcers, abscesses, bone lesions, severe joint pain, heart inflammation, urinary tract problems, meningitis, and usually death. In order of decreasing risk, people of Filipino, African, Native American, Hispanic, and Asian descent are susceptible to the disseminated form of the disease. Men and pregnant ladies, and men and women with weakened immune systems (as from AIDS) are … Read entire article »