coccidiomycosis

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Definition

Noun: 1. A fungal infection: Coccidiomycosis is a disease caused by inhaling spores of the fungus Coccidioides. It primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body, such as the skin, bones, and brain. The infection is characterized by respiratory symptoms and, in its disseminated form, by skin lesions or nodules.

Usage and Examples
  • The patient was diagnosed with coccidiomycosis after returning from the arid southwestern United States.
  • Pulmonary coccidiomycosis can sometimes resolve on its own, but disseminated cases require antifungal treatment.
  • Symptoms of coccidiomycosis may include cough, fever, chest pain, and fatigue.
Advanced Usage and Notes
  • Medical Context: This term is primarily used in medical, clinical, and epidemiological contexts. It is synonymous with coccidioidomycosis and is also commonly known as Valley fever.
  • Geographic Association: The disease is endemic to specific arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in the southwestern United States (e.g., Arizona, California) and parts of Mexico and Central and South America.
Variants and Related Words
  • Coccidioidomycosis (n): The more precise, full medical term for the same disease.
  • Valley fever (n): A common name for the disease, frequently used in public health communications.
  • Desert rheumatism (n): An older, less common colloquial name for the disease.
Synonyms
  • Valley fever
  • Coccidioidomycosis
  • Desert rheumatism (archaic)
Word Origin and Notes
  • Etymology: The word derives from the genus name of the causative fungus, , combined with the Greek suffix , meaning "fungal disease." itself comes from a Greek word for a type of berry, referring to the appearance of the fungal spherules in tissue.
  • Important Note: While the provided reference definition mentions "excessive sputum and nodules," it is crucial to understand that not all cases present with these specific symptoms. Many initial pulmonary infections are mild or asymptomatic. The defining feature is infection by the fungus.
Noun
  1. an infection of the lungs and skin characterized by excessive sputum and nodules

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