"This video is wonderful. I wish the entire
Country could view
it because it is important for the citizens to know about this vile
fungus that invades your body simply because you breathe. The video
shows the importance of owning this book so you can learn what Valley
Fever is, how to deal with it, how your family can deal with it, and
finally, that you are not alone. This book helped me gain a positive
attitude in dealing with my illness, and there are still days when I
pick it up to check on certain things. The video and the book could
literally help thousands of people deal with Valley Fever. I will
forever be indebted to Sharon Filip & David Filip for working
so
hard to help those infected with this BioHazard. They certainly helped
me."
Honey De Serre, AZ
See more videos below.
"This book [Valley Fever Epidemic] is like the Bible for Valley
Fever. I have struggled with Valley Fever for 2 years, and the time and
effort that was put into this book has been invaluable. If I ever
wanted a question asked about treatments, new drugs, or medical jargon
it was all in the book and explained so that you can understand. If you
have VF or know someone that does or even if you live in one of the
endemic areas you should own this book it could save your life."
Kenny Manzer, CA
If you
breathe, you can get Valley Fever!
Valley Fever
Epidemic is the first and
only
comprehensive, complete, and up-to-date book written for the lay person
on the subject
of coccidioidomycosis, commonly known as Valley Fever. It
features detailed in-depth information on the disease's symptoms,
diagnosis, testing, risk factors, drugs and treatment, and more.
Read
editorial reviews here
We are an all-volunteer organization. Through your purchase of our
goods at the VFS store
or our books it will help us to reach our ultimate goal which is to
bring attention to the disease and funding to the research for a
vaccine and a cure. Nothing is more important than your health and the
health of a loved one or pet.
The VFS
Educational Film series continues!
Click on each
thumbnail picture above to see the whole video. Or check out the
videos of the Valley Fever Survivor Educational Film Series in the
playlist at our You Tube channel: http://www.youtube.com/valleyfeversurvivor
This is only the beginning so stay tuned!
New Video from the VFS Educational Film Series
Beyond the CDC's Valley Fever Report
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released an April 2013 report about the Valley Fever epidemic from a review of cases from 1998-2011. How complete was it? What else should they have noticed? When Valley Fever Survivor fills in the blanks, you may find the CDC's silence shocking on quite a few points.
New Air and Soil Testing for Valley Fever
Hear about it on Valley Fever Survivor Radio
The University of Arizona College of Public Health's Dr. Joe Tabor is
our guest on Valley Fever Survivor Radio to discuss his recent project
to detect Valley Fever's spores in the air and soil far more cheaply
than ever before.
"Because the potentially fatal valley fever fungi are so
difficult to isolate from the soil and air I am developing an improved
and less expensive petri dish method that does not use laboratory
animals. Your tax deductible donations will allow me to validate my
method in North, Central, and South America. Funding that exceed the
minimum Goal will also be used to collect ecological and exposure data.
I offer you the opportunity to observe aspects of this research in
person or by video."
Valley Fever Survivor Teleconference
Saturday, January 19, 2013
2PM Pacific, 4PM Central, and 5PM Eastern Time.
This FREE teleconference is open to anyone interested in learning about
Valley Fever and how to become your own best advocate. Tell everyone
you know about it. All that is required is an email to voiceforaction@valleyfeversurvivor.com
with your name, phone number to be used for the call-in and email to
contact you with the proper phone and code to join the teleconference.
Your reservation is required for attendance.
There will be a FREE SPECIAL PROMOTION for those who attend if
interested. We hope you can get friends, family, neighbors and
co-workers to listen in and learn.
Did you hear about the new fungal disease found in Arizona? At
the Teleconference we will tell you what it is called, how it affects
the body and whether you may have it and not know it. This could
coexist with your Valley Fever and may be the cause of some of your
health problems. Everyone needs this information.
Also, Valley Fever has been found to occur outside of the
known endemic areas. Want to guess which state it is now in? Stay tuned
and you will find out at the Teleconference.
We look forward to speaking with many of you there! Don't forget to
make your reservation. You won't want to miss this Teleconference!
We look forward to speaking with many of you there! Don't forget to make your reservation.
Sharon's Desk Update
The NEW Sharon's Desk audio series has begun. This will be the first of many to come.
Valley Fever Survivor is now on Blog Talk Radio
Listen to the replay of our 1st live broadcast
with special guest Lance Dreher from the Sunday, October 7, 2012 show.
Considering the toxicity of the drugs and the way they make
people feel, those with valley fever are looking for ways to improve
their health by other means. In many cases, for people with Valley
Fever or anyone who just wants to eat healthier and feel more alive,
sprouting can be a big step to better health.
Check out this informative sprouting video below or on YouTube
VALLEY FEVER SURVIVOR TELECONFERENCE August 26, 2012
Please enjoy the recording of the VFS Teleconference that was held on
August 26, 2012. The replay recording can be heard here and on
YouTube (shown above). Below is some information about the
teleconference.
-Current statistics to show what is specifically happening in the ongoing epidemic.
-Information about the successful August 22nd settlement of a Valley Fever lawsuit against the Federal Government.
-How to eat for Valley Fever. We will break it down into four categories of dietary strategies:
--Early Valley Fever
--Dormant Valley Fever
--Valley Fever when it presents chronic issues
--The long term lifetime eating strategies for Valley Fever
--and more info you never heard before
At the end of the conference there was an hour-long question and answer session with Sharon and Dave.
In Memory of Dr. Hans Einstein
VFS has always loved and admired Dr. Hans Einstein.
We must very sadly report that Dr. Einstein, Valley Fever
treatment pioneer and friend to everyone who was involved in research
and writing about VF, died Saturday, August 11th. This was the same day
people walked in support of the Valley Fever cause and his ideals in
his home city of Bakersfield, CA. Our deepest sympathy go out to his
daughter Jessica and all other friends and family.
The entire Valley Fever community mourns his loss as he was
the most knowledgeable, caring and empathetic doctor in the field of
Valley Fever. The world now loses one of the greatest of all time. The
entire Valley Fever Survivor community mourns his loss.
I am sure he has a special place in heaven for all he has done for humanity. God bless you Dr. Einstein.
David and Sharon on "Fitness Talk"
David and Sharon were guests on the radio show "Fitness Talk with Lance Dreher."
The show aired on Phoenix Arizona's KFYI 550am radio
at 5:00pm on Saturday, May 26th. A survivor of disseminated Valley
Fever himself, Dr. Dreher dedicated the hour to a discussion of Valley
Fever.
An archive of the show can be heard at http://lancedreher.com/ for listening online and below.
2011 in Review: The Ongoing Valley Fever Epidemic in Arizona
2011's provisional Valley Fever caseload totals are in for
Arizona. As with most years' totals, Arizona set another
record-breaking year of sickness and infection with the Desert
Southwest's local secret. Compared to 2010's total Valley Fever case
reporting (11,895), a record year at that time, 2011 had 16,438, a 38% increase in case reporting. Considering the major storm activity and lack of warnings, this should not be a complete surprise.
Although the monthly caseload did not
account for them, there were an additional 126 cases reported to the
ADHS office of Infectious Disease Services' provisional data for Valley
Fever, bringing the total caseload for 2011 to 16,438.
But
these are reported cases, not the estimated total number of infections.
Using the CDC model, the estimated monthly average came to 68,500 infections each month, 2200 infections each day, and another record-breaking annual total: 821,900 estimated infections in Arizona for the year. See the chart below for more detailed monthly data.
Arizona's Daily and
Monthly 2011 VF Caseloads
Month
Cases/Day*
Est/Day**
Cases/Month
Est/Month**
J
48
2400
1478
73,900
F
44
2200
1243
62,150
M
45
2250
1408
70,400
A
45
2250
1347
67,350
M
44
2200
1365
68,250
J
46
2300
1393
69,650
J
45
2250
1380
69,000
A
50
2500
1542
77,100
S
38
1900
1141
57,050
O
39
1920
1216
60,800
N
46
2300
1365
68,250
D
46
2300
1434
71,700
Sixteen additional states also reported cases
of Valley Fever. Eleven of these were outside the endemic zones,
indicating travelers who came into the endemic zones to be infected
there. Since most states do not require Valley Fever reporting,
the fact that these voluntarily reported their cases indicate a
significant spread of this disease beyond the Southwest.
Please Note: We are not ignoring the epidemic of Valley Fever in
California, but 2011's reporting was so inadequate that it cannot
possibly provide information on the true toll of this disease on the
populace.
*Average cases per day based on the monthly cases reported in Arizona's Final Year Data for 2011. **"Est. VF Infections" refers to the CDC
model that estimates
all Valley Fever
infections in the reporting area based on the number of cases diagnosed
there. This estimate includes people whose cases were diagnosed and
reported as well as the vast majority who are either undiagnosed,
misdiagnosed with another disease, or currently asymptomatic. "Est/Day"
and "Est/Month" apply this model as daily and monthly estimates,
respectively.
Arizona's 2010 Valley Fever Epidemic
2010 was the worst year ever for Valley Fever in Arizona. The
consequences of being infected with this "local secret" agent of
bioterrorism has forced hundreds of thousands of new people to contract
this incurable, debilitating and deadly disease. Arizona, where 65% of
all cases are contracted, had 11,895 infections reported. Using the CDC
model that regards recorded cases a approximately 2% of total
infections, it is estimated that 600,000 Valley Fever infections
occurred just in Arizona alone for 2010.
Arizona's Daily and
Monthly 2010 VF Caseloads
Month
Cases/Day*
Est/Day**
Cases/Month
Est/Month**
J
30
1500
928
46,400
F
29
1450
821
41,050
M
29
1450
909
45,450
A
23
1150
679
33,950
M
27
1350
830
41,500
J
30
1500
907
45,350
J
29
1450
871
43,550
A
32
1600
979
48,950
S
30
1500
913
45,650
O
37
1850
1153
57,650
N
45
2250
1351
67,550
D
50
2500
1554
77,700
A breakdown of infection rates for the top two major
counties in Arizona follows. They are Maricopa County (the Phoenix
area) and Pima County (the Tucson area).
Maricopa
2010
VF
Cases Reported
Est. VF infections**
Full
year
9,466
473,300
Average
per month
789
39,450
Average per week
182
9,100
Average
per day
26
1,300
Pima
2010
VF
Cases Reported
Est. VF Infections**
Full
year
1,433
71,650
Average
per month
119
5,950
Average per week
28
1,400
Average
per day
4
200
*Average cases per day based on the monthly cases reported in Arizona's Final Year Data for 2010. **"Est. VF Infections" refers to the CDC
model that estimates
all Valley Fever
infections in the reporting area based on the number of cases diagnosed
there. This estimate includes people whose cases were diagnosed and
reported as well as the vast majority who are either undiagnosed,
misdiagnosed with another disease, or currently asymptomatic. "Est/Day"
and "Est/Month" apply this model as daily and monthly estimates,
respectively.
Just this one state, Arizona, nearly equaled last year's total
national infections. If there had been nationwide tracking for 2010
(see "Important Progress" below), the national reporting would
undoubtedly have added many more cases. However, when adding in what
little reporting there was to California and other areas, it is a fact
that 2010's reported infections still represent the worst
year ever in the Valley Fever epidemic.
WARNING:
There
are some web sites apparently using Valley Fever Survivor's name but
soliciting money or suggesting that you help them for various causes.
If the sites are not linked from the http://www.valleyfeversurvivor.com
web site, they are NOT FROM US. They are violating the law by
misusing our registered trademark and misrepresenting themselves as our
organization.
Important Progress!
Early in 2010 we reported on the problem that the
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) ceased its
reporting of Valley Fever to the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC). This caused the major problem that coccidioidomycosis
was
no longer a nationally notifiable disease, with all the loss of
publicity and mindshare in the public health community such a demotion
would bring – even after 2009 was the worst national Valley Fever
epidemic in
history by an increase of 60% over 2008.
Fortunately, at the CSTE
annual conference things were finally set straight and Valley Fever was
once again a nationally notifiable disease in 2011.
The Ongoing Epidemic
Just like 2008 and so many years before it, 2009 was the worst year
ever in the history of the Valley Fever
epidemic. Arizona had a 60% increase in reported cases over
2008. There were over 10,279 reported VF cases to the
Arizona Department of Health Services for 2009. Using the CDC
model for calculation of overall infections based on reported
infections, there were over 513,000 people infected with Valley Fever
in the state of Arizona in 2009. For the nation it was over
600,000 cases in 2009.
Although a bureaucratic decision eliminated national reporting of
Valley Fever for 2010, Arizona alone reported 11,895 infections in that
year. Although national reporting had typically been poor, the estimate
model for overall infections in Arizona nearly matches 2009's previous national
total of 600,000 people estimated to have been infected. When accouting
for testing gathered from other states, 2010 was the worst year on
record for Valley Fever.
Our Mission
Statement
Valley
Fever Survivor® was
created to educate people everywhere about the potentially
debilitating consequences of a Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis)
infection. For all those who have died or suffered the horrors of this
disease, we have become a voice for action so that others will not have
to suffer
the same fate.
We are working for political action and also to help raise funds for
research. Research projects
are in the works and hopefully they will succeed so there will be a
vaccine and cure for Valley Fever.
Please visit all the pages on this site and take part in our research
questionnaire and surveys.
As a visitor to Arizona in 2001 I knew nothing about the possibilities
of contracting the state's secret "local disease." A week after I
returned home I became ill and it was only a matter of time before I
heard the words “Valley Fever.” I had a titer of 1:64 and
the illness almost took my life. I hope you will read my Valley Fever story.
Our goal is to end this disease’s obscurity. If people think
Valley Fever is nothing to be worried about or have never heard of it,
they are not likely to do anything to protect themselves.
Please fill out the questionnaire and appropriate surveys, and write to
tell us your story. We feel for all the animals suffering as well as
the people. Valley Fever’s toll on the canine population has
become an epidemic. The 1980 estimate of ten million human infections
(from Dr. Stevens' textbook Coccidioidomycosis)
shows this disease has already been an epidemic in humans for decades.
Stories about cocci infections in yourself or your family members, or
even your
dog, cat, horse, etc. are welcomed in the comments section of the questionnaire or
the animal survey.
We would like to include different cases of Valley Fever in our
upcoming books. If you would like to be considered for inclusion please
participate with our web site's questionnaires, surveys, polls, and
message boards. You can also email us at voiceforaction@valleyfeversurvivor.com.
Also email us if you are interested in having yourself or a
pet included in our upcoming Valley Fever videos.
