Valley Fever in Children: Symptoms, Causes, and When to Seek Care
California just posted a troubling update for 2026. According to the California Department of Public Health, provisional case reports show the disease remains an ongoing concern across the state. That number nearly matched the entire case count from all of 2025. Pediatric cases are climbing even faster. UCLA researchers found that Valley Fever in children jumped from 1.8 per 100,000 in 2001 to 10.9 per 100,000 in 2024. Parents across California need to understand this growing risk.
What Is Valley Fever?
Valley Fever is a fungal infection. Doctors call it coccidioidomycosis. It comes from a fungus called Coccidioides, which lives in dry desert soil. This fungus grows underground for years without causing harm. When soil gets disturbed, tiny spores release into the air. Anyone nearby can breathe them in.
Valley Fever in children often mimics common illnesses. Many cases look like a cold or the flu at first. This makes early diagnosis tricky for busy parents. You can learn more about common respiratory infections in kids and how they compare to fungal illnesses like this one.
What Causes Valley Fever in Kids?
Kids get infected by breathing in fungal spores. Several activities can stir these spores into the air.
- Wind storms and dust clouds
- Construction or excavation work nearby
- Playing in dry, disturbed soil
- Off-roading or biking through dusty trails
- Wildfires that disturb ground surfaces
California’s Central Valley remains a hotspot. Kern, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties report high case numbers. However, cases now spread beyond these regions. Climate shifts bring wetter winters and drier summers. This pattern helps the fungus grow, then scatter easily through the air. Valley Fever does not spread between people. Your child cannot catch it from a sick classmate. Exposure only happens through contaminated air or soil.
Symptoms of Valley Fever in Children
Most children who get infected show mild symptoms or none at all. Studies suggest over 60 percent of pediatric cases stay symptom free. When symptoms do appear, they usually show up one to three weeks after exposure. Common symptoms include:
- Fever that lingers for days
- Dry or persistent cough
- Fatigue and low energy
- Headache
- Night sweats
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Muscle or joint aches
- Skin rash on the arms or trunk
These symptoms often resemble a cold, flu, or even pneumonia. Parents should watch a cough that does not improve after a week or two. This delay matters because Valley Fever needs specific testing for proper diagnosis.
When Valley Fever Turns Serious
A small percentage of children develop more severe illness. Around 5 to 10 percent of cases progress to serious lung infection. In rare situations, the fungus spreads beyond the lungs. This is called disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Disseminated disease can affect bones, joints, skin, and the brain. UCLA data shows disseminated cases in children have risen sharply since 2023. Children with this complication often need long-term antifungal treatment. Some require care for many months or longer.
Watch for these warning signs of severe illness:
- High fever that will not break
- Trouble breathing or rapid breathing
- Chest pain that worsens
- Severe headache with neck stiffness
- Confusion or unusual sleepiness
- Swelling or pain in joints
Any of these symptoms need prompt medical evaluation. Our team explains more about spotting dangerous respiratory symptoms in kids and knowing when a routine illness turns urgent.
Who Faces Higher Risk?
Not every child exposed to the fungus develops Valley Fever. However, some children are more likely to become seriously ill if they are infected. Your child’s risk may be higher if they have:
- Weakened immune systems from illness or medication
- Chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes
- Living in or visiting high-risk counties
- Frequent outdoor play in dry, dusty areas
- Certain ethnic backgrounds, including African American and Filipino children
Even healthy children without these risk factors can develop severe disease. Doctors still do not fully understand why some kids get sicker than others.
How Doctors Diagnose Valley Fever
Diagnosing Valley fever begins with a medical history, symptom review, and physical exam. Because its symptoms are similar to those of a cold, the flu, or pneumonia, your child’s provider may recommend additional testing if Valley fever is suspected.
Tests may include a blood test to look for antibodies to the Coccidioides fungus and a chest X-ray to check for signs of lung infection. In some cases, other laboratory tests may be needed. Early diagnosis helps providers choose the most appropriate treatment and avoid unnecessary antibiotics when the illness is caused by a fungal infection.
Treatment Options for Children
Treatment depends on how severe the infection becomes. Mild cases often resolve without antifungal medication. Rest, fluids, and monitoring may be all a child needs. Moderate to severe cases require antifungal therapy. Common medications include fluconazole and other prescribed antifungals.
Treatment duration varies widely between patients. Some children need medication for a few months. Others require treatment for a year or longer, especially with disseminated disease. Follow-up visits matter throughout recovery. Providers track symptoms and confirm the infection clears properly.
Prevention Tips for Parents
Valley fever cannot always be prevented, but a few simple precautions can help lower your child’s exposure to the fungus. These habits are especially helpful if you live in or visit areas where Valley fever is more common. Here are some practical ways to help reduce your child’s risk:
- Limit outdoor play during dust storms
- Keep windows closed on windy days
- Avoid digging or playing in dry dirt
- Use air filtration indoors when air quality drops
- Dampen soil before yard work when possible
Late summer and fall bring the highest exposure risk. Stay alert to local air quality alerts during these months.
When to Seek Care for Valley Fever in Children
Bring your child to a pediatric provider if a cough lasts beyond seven to ten days. Seek same-day care if your child has a high fever, breathing trouble, or severe fatigue. Do not wait if symptoms worsen instead of improving. Valley Fever in children needs prompt attention, especially with California’s rising case numbers. Getting an accurate diagnosis early helps your child recover faster and avoids unnecessary treatments.
Visit All Kidz Urgent Care in Torrance
Our board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Sara Dhillon, leads a team focused entirely on children’s health. We offer same-day evaluations for respiratory symptoms, fevers, and unexplained illness. Our goal stays simple: accurate answers without a long emergency room wait. If your child shows signs of Valley Fever, do not guess. Bring them in for proper testing and expert guidance.
All Kidz Urgent Care®
2927 Rolling Hills Road
Torrance, California 90505
+1 310-292-0054
contactus@allkidzurgentcare.com
Hours:
Wednesday to Friday: 11am to 7pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 6pm
Your child’s health deserves fast, specialized care. Trust the team at All Kidz Urgent Care to guide your family through it.
