What are the primary symptoms of coccidioidomycosis?

Coccidioidomycosis, often referred to as Valley Fever, is a fungal infection caused by the Coccidioides species, commonly found in the southwestern United States. The primary symptoms of this condition typically include cough, fever, and sometimes a rash. The cough is often dry and can be persistent, while fever is a common systemic response to infection. The rash, while not universally present, may occur in some individuals as part of a hypersensitivity reaction or a manifestation of disseminated disease.

In contrast, symptoms such as chronic cough and hemoptysis relate more closely to pulmonary complications that can arise when the disease becomes severe, which is not typical of the primary presentation. Fever and abdominal pain can be seen in a variety of infections or conditions but are not characteristic of coccidioidomycosis. Similarly, painful vesicular rash and fever might suggest other infectious processes, such as viral infections or herpes zoster, rather than being indicative of primary symptoms associated with coccidioidomycosis. Thus, the combination of cough, fever, and the potential for rash accurately reflects the most commonly observed symptoms of this fungal infection.