A Valley fever test in Mesa, AZ is a blood test that checks for antibodies your body makes against Coccidioides, the soil fungus that causes Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis).
How Valley Fever Testing Works
Three simple steps. No doctor's order. No insurance needed.
Walk In
Quick Blood Test
Results in 3-5 Days
What Test Confirms Valley Fever?
A blood test is the most common way to check for Valley fever.
-
It looks for antibodies your immune system makes against the Coccidioides fungus
-
Infectious disease experts note it can be diagnosed with simple antibody blood tests called EIA
-
Your doctor may also use a chest X-ray to see how your lungs are affected
What Are the Warning Signs of Valley Fever?
Many people have no symptoms or only mild ones. When symptoms show up, they usually start 1 to 3 weeks after exposure and can include:
-
Fatigue, cough, and fever
-
Shortness of breath and headache
-
Muscle and joint aches, and night sweats
-
A rash on the upper body or legs
Flu-like symptoms for more than a week in Arizona are a good reason to get tested.
What Can Valley Fever Be Mistaken For?
-
Pneumonia is the most common mix-up.
-
Experts estimate about a third of pneumonia cases in Arizona are caused by Valley fever
-
It's also confused with the flu, tuberculosis, and even lung cancer
-
About two-thirds of all U.S. cases happen in Arizona, mostly around Phoenix and Tucson
Why Mesa Chooses Quick Test Health Services®
-
Walk in or book online
-
No Insurance or doctor's order needed
-
HSA/FSA Accepted
-
One quick blood draw, results sent to your patient portal
-
Locally owned in East Mesa
What Your Results Mean
Positive Result — Antibodies Detected
Your body has produced antibodies against the Valley Fever fungus. This usually means you're currently fighting the infection or have recently fought it. A positive result doesn't tell you how severe your case is—you'll need a follow-up with a healthcare provider to discuss next steps. We recommend taking your results to your primary care doctor or urgent care provider
Negative Result — No Antibodies Detected
No Valley Fever antibodies were found in your blood.
This usually means you don't have Valley Fever
but there's an important caveat:
Antibodies can take 2 to 6 weeks to build up to detectable levels. If you've had symptoms for less than 2-3 weeks and your test comes back negative, consider retesting in 2 to 3 weeks. Up to one-third of Valley Fever patients initially test negative before later testing positive.
Where Can I Get Tested For Valley Fever?
Right here at Quick Test, on East University Drive at Power Road in East Mesa.
Walk in or book online, and the collection takes just a few minutes,you will recieve your results in 3-5 days.
Serving: Mesa · Gilbert · Queen Creek · Apache Junction · San Tan Valley · Chandler · Tempe
Valley Fever FAQ
Can Valley fever spread from person to person? No. You only get it by breathing in spores from the soil. It doesn't spread between people or from pets.
Can you have Valley fever for years and not know it? Yes. Many people never have symptoms, and a blood test later shows they were exposed in the past.
How long do Valley fever test results take? About 3 to 5 business days after your sample reaches the lab, sent to your patient portal.