PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 Dust is expected to linger Saturday morning with the possibility of a dust storm that night, raising health concerns for people with respiratory conditions, children and the elderly.<\/p>\n
Arizona\u2019s Family Chief Meteorologist Royal Norman said the lack of rainfall this season could make this year\u2019s dust storms worse than usual.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think that this year, because it\u2019s been a long time since we\u2019ve had any rain, and our monsoon has not really gotten here, our monsoon rains, the dust storms might be with us for a couple of weeks, even after we get a day or two of rain,\u201d Norman said.<\/p>\n
Dust storms carry more than dirt, according to Dr. Michell Lozano Chinga, a pediatric allergist and immunologist at Phoenix Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen dust passes through, there is not only dust, there are other particles,\u201d Lozano Chinga said.<\/p>\n
Those particles include pollutants, pollen and fungal spores \u2014 some of which can cause Valley Fever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are particles that kind of stay only in your nose. There are particles that can go down to your lungs,\u201d Lozano Chinga said.<\/p>\n
A recent CDC report<\/a> shows Valley Fever cases approximately doubled from 2005 to 2022. Maricopa County recorded the most cases in Arizona, followed by Pima and Pinal counties. Preliminary data<\/a> counts more than 8,500 cases in Maricopa County last year and nearly 3,300 so far this year.<\/p>\n Health experts say Valley Fever symptoms vary widely \u2014 from no symptoms at all to coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing. In severe cases, the infection can spread beyond the lungs.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are some patients which may have some higher risk factors to get more severe and disseminated infections that can affect not only the lungs, but sometimes muscles, the brain and other parts of your body,\u201d Lozano Chinga said.<\/p>\n Maricopa County health officials say most Valley Fever symptoms will resolve on their own within a few months without treatment. In severe or life-threatening cases, doctors will likely prescribe antifungal medication.<\/p>\n Dr. Lozano Chinga said when a dust storm approaches, people should get inside as soon as possible, close and secure windows, and turn on air purifiers if available.<\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n