What is Valley fever? Rare fungal disease kills Indian techie in California
Chiranjeevi Kolla, a 37-year-old Indian tech professional in California, died after a severe Valley fever infection led to respiratory failure. The case brings to light a little-known soil-borne disease whose early symptoms can resemble flu.
A 37-year-old Indian tech professional based in California died after battling Valley fever, a rare fungal infection that damaged his lungs and led to respiratory failure.
Chiranjeevi Kolla died on May 5 after spending nearly a month in intensive care, according to a fundraiser created by his family.
WHAT IS VALLEY FEVER?
Valley fever, medically known as coccidioidomycosis, is caused by a fungus called Coccidioides that lives in soil, especially in dry and dusty regions of the southwestern United States, including parts of California and Arizona.
People can get infected after breathing in fungal spores released into the air when soil is disturbed by wind, farming, or construction work.
According to reports, Kolla first developed symptoms that seemed similar to the flu, including cough and fever.
As his condition worsened, doctors initially suspected pneumonia before tests confirmed Valley fever. The infection eventually overwhelmed his lungs, and he was placed on a ventilator in the ICU.
SYMPTOMS LOOK LIKE REGULAR FLU
Many people infected with Valley fever may never develop symptoms or may recover without treatment.
However, in some cases, especially among people with weak immunity or underlying health conditions, the infection can become severe and spread beyond the lungs.
Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Persistent cough
- Tiredness
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle or joint pain
Because the symptoms closely resemble flu or pneumonia, the disease is difficult to recognise early.
Doctors say antifungal medicines are used in moderate to severe cases, though recovery can sometimes take months.
Severe infections could lead to lung complications or respiratory failure.
The disease is not contagious and does not spread from person to person. It is mainly linked to exposure to infected soil in certain regions of the US.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED AND TREATED?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctors usually diagnose Valley fever through blood tests that detect antibodies against the fungus.
In some cases, chest X-rays, CT scans, sputum testing, or lung tissue biopsies might also be needed to confirm the infection.
Most mild infections improve on their own within weeks or months.
But patients with severe lung infections or infections that spread to other organs are treated with antifungal medicines such as fluconazole.
Serious cases require hospitalisation and treatment for more than six months.
Kolla is survived by his wife and five-year-old son. His death has drawn attention to a disease that many outside the US are still largely unaware of.