New Valley Fever support groups for patients and families

Members of the Kern County COCCI Collaborative has begun two support groups for those in our community impacted by Valley Fever.

• On the first Tuesday of every month at 3:30 p.m. at Valley Children’s Eagle Oaks Specialty Clinic, 12500 Stockdale Hwy., Bakersfield.

• On the third Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m., beginning May 21, at Kern Medical in Room #1058 (park in A Wing Lot), 1700 Mt. Vernon Ave., Bakersfield.

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, is an illness caused by a fungus that lives in the soil and dirt in areas of the Southwestern United States. People and animals can get exposed by breathing in spores of the fungus. Although 60% of infected people will not develop symptoms, people who do develop symptoms can experience mild to severe and even develop chronic disease. Because of the wide range of the severity of Valley Fever those with more severe cases can feel isolated and experience depression. Valley Fever cannot be spread from one person to another or from animals to people.

To learn more about Valley Fever visit Valley Children’s Hospital at http://www.valleychildrens.org/valley-fever/valley-fever-home or the Valley Fever Institute at http://www.ValleyFeverInstitute.com