B38.7: Disseminated coccidioidomycosis
Disseminated coccidioidomycosis, also known as valley fever, is a serious infection caused by the Coccidioides species of fungi, found in soil and dust in certain geographical regions, mainly in the southwestern United States, parts of Mexico, and Central and South America. The fungus becomes airborne when disturbed, and people can get infected by inhaling the fungal spores. The infection begins in the lungs, causing symptoms similar to the flu, like fever, cough, and fatigue. However, in severe cases, the infection can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the skin, bones, joints, and even the central nervous system. This widespread, or disseminated, form of the disease can cause additional symptoms, like skin sores, joint pains, and changes in mental status, and is serious and potentially life-threatening.
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