Climate Change Could Drive Potentially Deadly Valley Fever Cases

Coccidioides can cause a flu-like infection, but if it spreads to the brain or spine, patients could be in pain for years.

A potentially deadly fungus grows in the parched southwest soil.

Coccidioides is crucial in a desert ecosystem. It breaks down decaying material to dirt.

When inhaled, however, the spaghetti-like structures set up shop in the lungs. They can grow unnoticed, leading to an infection called coccidioidomycosis, or cocci for short. Doctors also call it valley fever.