Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Can Valley Fever Re-occur Despite Taking Steroids And Fluconazole?

I had valley fever in 2009 soon after moving to Arizona I was 68 years old and had taken Enbrel years earlier as well as steroids. I took fluconasole for one year until I moved back to Oregon. My question is if I could be safe if I moved back to Arizona. I will be 76 next month and have giant cell arteritis which has necessitated large doses of steroids for the past 7 months. What do you think or know about my chances of relapse for valley fever? Thank you so very much! E-mail ( YYYY@YYYY ) 503-577-7861 Ruth Anderson
Fri, 21 Jul 2017
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for the query. I understand your concern

Old age & immune compromised persons ( here you are on steroids) are more prone to catch Valley fever .more so over summer days.
Fluconazole has it's action only till it is consumed.. during those days it takes care of infecting fungi... it is not likely to be active after all these years you had been out of the Arizona.. so you have to have fresh efforts to avoid it in your future visit.
Considering your age/ more possibilities to catch infection due to steroids you have been taking..( making you more prone to infection )... you should avoid shifting to Arizona.
If you must.. you have to take full precautions to avoid exposure to spores of the fungus causing this fever -specially in summer when the incidence is more.... like... Wearing mask/ closing doors & window tightly closed/ Avoiding going out in storms . Taking antioxidants to keep immunity up./ drinking lot of water & consulting doctor with slightest of fever.
Thanks
I find this answer helpful
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
Can Valley Fever Re-occur Despite Taking Steroids And Fluconazole?

Hi, Thanks for the query. I understand your concern Old age & immune compromised persons ( here you are on steroids) are more prone to catch Valley fever .more so over summer days. Fluconazole has it s action only till it is consumed.. during those days it takes care of infecting fungi... it is not likely to be active after all these years you had been out of the Arizona.. so you have to have fresh efforts to avoid it in your future visit. Considering your age/ more possibilities to catch infection due to steroids you have been taking..( making you more prone to infection )... you should avoid shifting to Arizona. If you must.. you have to take full precautions to avoid exposure to spores of the fungus causing this fever -specially in summer when the incidence is more.... like... Wearing mask/ closing doors & window tightly closed/ Avoiding going out in storms . Taking antioxidants to keep immunity up./ drinking lot of water & consulting doctor with slightest of fever. Thanks