Did you know that the disease coccidioidomycosis is endemic (native and common) in the southwestern United States, including southern California? Coccidioidomycosis, is a lung disease that results from infection with Coccidioides, a fungus which lives in dirt. It is also known as Valley Fever, cocci, California fever, desert rheumatism, and San Joaquin Valley Fever. Symptoms include fever, cough, headache, rash, muscle aches, or joint pain. In severe cases, patients develop pneumonia or meningitis, sometimes resulting in death. Â View the Fact Sheet.