
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Coccidioidomycosis risk factors
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection most commonly seen in the desert regions of the southwestern United States, and in Central and South America. Common risk factors include traveling to an area where the fungus is commonly seen raises your risk for this infection, native American, African or Philippine descent, and having a weakened immune systems due to AIDS, diabetes, or medications that suppress the immune system.[1] [2][3]
Common risk factors
Common risk factors
- Dust exposure in endemic areas, due to occupational activities agricultural or construction workers
- Military personnel training in endemic areas
- Construction work, and model airplane competitions
- Natural disasters such as earthquakes and windstorms
Less common risk factors
Less common risk factors
- HIV/AIDS
- Organ transplantation
- Use of immunosuppressive medications
- Older age >65
- Diabetes mellitus
- Late-stage pregnancy
References
References
- ↑ Cummings KC, McDowell A, Wheeler C, McNary J, Das R, Vugia DJ, Mohle-Boetani JC (2010). “Point-source outbreak of coccidioidomycosis in construction workers”. Epidemiol. Infect. 138 (4): 507–11. doi:10.1017/S0950268809990999. PMID 19845993.
- ↑ LEVAN NE (1954). “Occupational aspects of coccidioidomycosis”. Calif Med. 80 (4): 294–8. PMC 1531978. PMID 13150196.
- ↑ Rosenstein NE, Emery KW, Werner SB, Kao A, Johnson R, Rogers D, Vugia D, Reingold A, Talbot R, Plikaytis BD, Perkins BA, Hajjeh RA (2001). “Risk factors for severe pulmonary and disseminated coccidioidomycosis: Kern County, California, 1995-1996”. Clin. Infect. Dis. 32 (5): 708–15. doi:10.1086/319203. PMID 11229838.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]
