Valley Fever testing in Tucson is a blood test for coccidioidomycosis—the fungal infection from desert dust that's common across Southern Arizona and often behind a cough that won't quit. No doctor's order needed.
Could It Be Valley Fever?
A cough that's hung on for weeks. An exhaustion you can't sleep off. A "flu" that antibiotics didn't touch. If you live, work, or spend time outdoors in Tucson or anywhere across Pima County, your body might be fighting something other than a virus. Valley Fever is one of the first possibilities Southern Arizona physicians rule out.
We provide the order, perform the draw, and send results to your secure patient portal. A simple blood draw at our West Tucson lab at 1310 W. St. Mary's Rd., 2nd Floor — Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM. Self-pay flat rate.
HSA and FSA accepted. Results in 5 to 7 business days.
Fast, Direct-Access Valley Fever Testing in Tucson
Valley Fever—clinically called Coccidioidomycosis, or "Cocci" for short—is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides, a microscopic fungus that thrives in the dry soils of the American Southwest. Arizona, parts of California's Central Valley, southern Nevada, New Mexico, and West Texas all sit inside the endemic zone.
The fungus releases airborne spores whenever desert soil gets stirred up. Construction projects, landscaping, hiking through dry washes, mountain biking, gardening, archeological work, and even strong monsoon winds can all kick fungal spores into the air. Inhalation is the only way humans get infected. Person-to-person transmission does not occur.
Recognizing the Signs of Valley Fever
Symptoms typically show up 7 to 21 days after spore exposure, though some patients don't connect the dots for weeks or even months. The hardest part of diagnosing Valley Fever is that the early presentation mimics common respiratory illnesses
Who Should Get a Valley Fever Test in Tucson?
Walk in for a Cocci antibody test if you live or work anywhere in Pima County, AND any of the following apply:
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Flu-like or respiratory symptoms have lasted longer than two weeks
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A diagnosis of pneumonia, bronchitis, or upper respiratory infection isn't responding to antibiotic therapy
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You spend regular time outdoors—hiking.
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You've had heavy dust exposure during a monsoon storm or haboob
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You recently moved to Tucson or Southern Arizona and have developed a respiratory illness that won't shake
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You work in any industry that disturbs the Southern Arizona soil.
Why Tucson Chooses Quick Test for Valley Fever Testing
Quick Test Health Services of Tucson is a locally operated lab focused on accessible, discreet STD testing for Southern Arizona residents. Walk-ins are welcome — no appointment necessary, no doctor's referral required, no insurance approval needed.
Pricing is transparent. Results are private and delivered through our secure portal.
Our Tucson lab is centrally located on St. Mary's Road, easily accessible from the University of Arizona campus, downtown Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, and the Catalina Foothills. Open early at 7 AM Monday through Friday — get tested before work, between classes, or on your lunch break. We accept cash, card, HSA, and FSA.
What Tucson Wants to Know About Valley Fever Testing?
What does the Valley Fever blood test actually look for? The Coccidioidomycosis antibody blood test measures two specific immune proteins — IgM and IgG — that your body produces when fighting the Coccidioides fungus. IgM antibodies appear early in infection, usually within 1 to 3 weeks of symptom onset, and signal an active or recent immune response. IgG antibodies develop later, persist longer, and can stay detectable in the bloodstream for up to a year after the body has cleared the fungus. Reading the two markers together gives your provider the clearest picture of whether the infection is recent, ongoing, or already resolved.
Can I get Valley Fever more than once? In most cases, no. People who recover from Valley Fever typically develop lifelong immunity to the Coccidioides fungus. Reinfection is uncommon. However, patients with weakened immune systems (organ transplant recipients, those on long-term immunosuppressive therapy, advanced HIV, or active chemotherapy) can experience reactivation of the original infection—which is why Cocci screening sometimes shows up in pre-transplant and oncology workups across Tucson.
Is Valley Fever contagious—and can dogs get it too? No, Valley Fever is not contagious between people. The infection is acquired by inhaling fungal spores from disturbed desert soil — there is no person-to-person, droplet, or contact transmission. Dogs and other animals can absolutely contract Valley Fever from environmental exposure (and Tucson veterinarians see Cocci in dogs regularly). Quick Test Health Services of Tucson does not perform veterinary testing—please contact your local veterinarian if your dog is symptomatic.
Do I need a doctor's order or referral to get a Valley Fever blood test in Tucson? No. Quick Test Health Services of Tucson is a direct-access lab — meaning you do not need a prescription, referral, or pre-existing doctor's order to be tested. We provide the lab order on-site, perform the blood draw, and your results are sent to you via our secure patient portal in 5 to 7 business days..
Looking for other walk-in lab tests in Tucson?
We also offer bloodwork, STD testing, TB testing, and pregnancy testing.