This story was produced by Grist and co-published with Arizona Luminaria . This story is part of Vital Signs, a Grist series exploring the ways climate change affects your health. It is published with support from the Wellcome Trust.

What is valley fever and how does it spread?

Valley fever is an infection spread by a fungus that grows in the top few inches of soil in parts of the American West. It is transmitted when soil is disturbed and the fungal spores become airborne. People and animals — like dogs, cats, sheep, and cattle — become sick by inhaling the spores. Valley fever cannot be passed from person to person.

The disease primarily affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other parts of the body. While most people will have mild or even no symptoms, some people become ver

See Full Page