From the Research
Traveling with mild coccidioidomycosis is generally safe with proper precautions, and consulting a healthcare provider before traveling is crucial to ensure the infection is stable and symptoms are controlled. When traveling, it is essential to continue taking any prescribed antifungal medications, such as fluconazole (typically 400-800 mg daily) or itraconazole (200 mg twice daily), for the duration recommended by the doctor, which may range from 3-6 months or longer depending on the specific case 1.
Key Precautions
- Pack extra medication and carry it in hand luggage with a copy of the prescription.
- Avoid activities that might expose you to dust in endemic areas, as reinfection or worsening of symptoms can occur.
- Stay well-hydrated and get adequate rest during travel to support the immune system.
- If traveling to high altitudes or by air, be aware that some patients experience increased respiratory symptoms due to pressure changes.
- Carry health insurance information and know how to access healthcare at the destination in case symptoms worsen, which might include increased fatigue, fever, cough, chest pain, or rash. These precautions are important because coccidioidomycosis, though mild in some cases, is a fungal infection that can potentially worsen with stress, immune suppression, or additional exposure to Coccidioides spores 2.
Considerations for Travel
Given that coccidioidomycosis is more common in endemic and non-endemic areas than previously recognized and can result in considerable morbidity and mortality 2, increased awareness of disease risk factors among the public and the international healthcare community will improve the timely diagnosis and treatment of coccidioidomycosis and prevent disease progression, dissemination, and deaths in residents and in travelers returning from endemic regions. A vaccine for the primary prevention of coccidioidomycosis would be cost-effective 2. However, as of the most recent study in 2022, no preventive vaccine is available 1.