Infectious Diseases

The Cocci Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Arizona provides a comprehensive multispecialty approach to treating coccidioidomycosis (cocci). This condition is also called valley fever. The Cocci Clinic includes doctors from many specialties, including Infectious Diseases, Pulmonary Medicine, Neurology, Dermatology and Cardiothoracic Surgery. Doctors and surgeons work together to ensure you get the whole-person care you need.

Any person with valley fever or symptoms of valley fever can be seen at the Cocci Clinic. You might be eligible for:

• Routine follow-up in managing the disease.
• Difficulty in diagnosis when test results fail to give clear answers.
• Poor response to standard treatment and medicines.
• Being at risk of complications or a spreading infection.
• Being unable to undergo standard treatment because of some other condition, such as allergies or concerns about side effects of treatment.
• Immune system issues, such as undergoing transplant or treatment for cancer or rheumatoid conditions.

The potential benefits of being seen at the Cocci Clinic include:

• Complete care in one location.
• Coordinated and expedited multispecialty evaluation.
• Comprehensive work-up.
• Expert opinion regarding diagnosis.
• Evaluation for other infections.
• Treatment follow-up plan.
• Access to new medicines.

The incidence of cocci in Arizona has increased a great deal over the last several years among all age groups. The number of people with cocci who need to be admitted to a hospital has also increased. This shows that more people with cocci are having severe disease.

If you develop flu-like symptoms shortly after moving or traveling to Arizona, talk with your health care provider about being tested for cocci. The peak periods for this condition tend to be November and March.