Papers of the Week

Coccidoidomycosis is caused by and infection. Coccidioidomycosis is also known as San Joaquin Valley fever or desert rheumatism. It is only seen in the Southwest United States (Arizona, New Mexico, California, Texas, Nevada, and Utah), and Central and South America. This infection is acquired by the inhalation of fungal spores in the air. The most severe extrapulmonary coccidioidomycosis is coccidioidomycosis meningitis, in which patients present with headaches, photophobia, altered mental status, and hearing difficulties. This is a case report of a person with disseminated coccidioidomycosis meningitis complicated by hydrocephalus, presenting as a headache.