valley fever

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The infections that triggered their chronic eye inflammation ranged from tuberculosis and syphilis to inhaled fungal blights like valley fever. Claire Panosian Dunavan, Discover Magazine, 8 Oct. 2014 California case counts are up 800% since 2000 as rising temperatures drive greater swings between intense rain and prolonged drought, creating ideal conditions for the fungus that causes valley fever, The Times’ Hayley Smith reports. Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022 An excellent fact sheet on cocci and valley fever from the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics and The Center for Food security and Public Health. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 9 Sep. 2013 Doctors can prescribe antifungal medications for people at higher risk of developing severe symptoms of valley fever, including those who are immunocompromised. Dallas News, 20 Feb. 2023 Lim, Park and Wolke take care of a woman who has valley fever and learn she’s been keeping a secret from her fiance. Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2022 The cocci fungus flourishes in southwestern regions with dry weather and sandy soils, such as Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, parts of Texas and California’s San Joaquin Valley, which gave valley fever its name after a major outbreak there in 1930. Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2014 Several cases of valley fever in the US that have been specifically associated with archaeological digs arise from the excavation of prehistoric Indian sites and burial grounds (2). Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 9 Sep. 2013 That's because valley fever can come back when the monkeys' immune systems are suppressed during research, potentially compromising results. Rob O'dell, The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'valley fever.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from its prevalence in the San Joaquin valley of California

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of valley fever was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near valley fever

Cite this Entry

“Valley fever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valley%20fever. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

valley fever

noun
val·​ley fever ˈval-ē- How to pronounce valley fever (audio)

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