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Long-Term Cough Mistaken for Allergies, Leads to Valley Fever Diagnosis
22 Aug
Summary
- A persistent cough lasting five years was initially misdiagnosed as allergies.
- The cough was later diagnosed as Valley fever, a fungal infection.
- The woman will undergo lung surgery in October for the infection.
A persistent cough that plagued a Houston woman for five years was initially dismissed as allergies by multiple doctors. Despite presenting symptoms such as productive coughing with colored sputum and extreme fatigue, her concerns were not fully addressed.
During treatment for underlying congenital heart defects, her cough was again attributed to allergies, and later, a COVID-19 test was suggested. The cough persisted and worsened, leading to coughing up blood. This alarming symptom prompted her to seek a new physician who, reviewing past X-rays and ordering a CT scan, diagnosed her with Valley fever, a fungal infection.
Valley fever, caused by inhaling Coccidioides spores found in soil, can present symptoms mimicking common ailments, leading to misdiagnosis. While many recover without treatment, it can cause serious lung complications. Autumn is now preparing for lung surgery scheduled for October to address the infection, with further cardiac procedures planned due to the lung issues.
