PHOENIX (AZFamily) -- A massive dust storm swept through the Valley this week, blanketing neighborhoods, highways, and skies in a thick cloud of dust. While the storm caused visibility issues and traffic delays, health experts are warning of a more serious concern: Valley Fever.
The storm didn't just kick up dirt. It launched microscopic fungal spores into the air. These spores are the cause of Valley Fever, a respiratory illness that can lead to severe, sometimes long-lasting health complications.
Surprise resident Mike Yarbrough knows that all too well. A few years ago, he was in his backyard when a storm rolled in.
Like many, he didn't think twice about the dust until days later when symptoms began. "I started having chest pain when I would take a deep breath. Real sharp pain," Yarbrough said.
Yarbrough was diagnosed with Valley Fever and underwent treatment for eight months. But his story is not uncommon, especially in Arizona.
"Valley Fever is quite common in Phoenix," said Dr. Suchitra Pilli, a pulmonologist at Honorhealth.
Dr. Pilli warns that cases of Valley Fever typically spike around three weeks after a major dust storm. And with storm season peaking from June through September, the risk is far from over.
Once you have a huge, windy storm come through, and the rain that follows, then it is airborne and puts us all at risk," Pilli said.
Dr. Pilli says that symptoms of Valley Fever can resemble the flu or a bad cold and include:
While you can't control the wind, Pilli recommends staying indoors during dust storms, using air purifiers at home, and wearing N95 masks if you must be outside. Most importantly, remain vigilant about your health in the weeks following any major storm.