The dust storms that move through Arizona can carry more than dirt. They can also stir up spores that cause Valley fever. Valley fever is a respiratory infection caused by breathing in microscopic spores of the Coccidioides fungus, which naturally lives in desert soil. Arizona accounts for a large share of reported cases nationwide, particularly in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. The infection is not contagious. For Justin John, what initially felt like the flu developed into a much longer health battle. He is now encouraging others to recognize the symptoms and take persistent illness seriously. Most people who develop Valley fever recover without treatment, but some cases can become more serious and, in rare situations, spread beyond the lungs. Symptoms can include cough, fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, joint pain, headaches, loss of appetite and an unexplained rash. They typically appear one to four weeks after exposure. Doctors say Valley fever can be difficult to recogniz...