I'm glad liquids are helping. What is Valley Fever?

It is a fungal infection. I highly doubt powder detergent has nothing to do with it.

I don't think she was saying the powder detergent gave her Valley Fever, but that her upper respiratory system is sensitive because of damage done all those years ago and being around powder detergents irritates it beyond a comfortable level. There are other users here who can't be in the same room with powders; it's a thing.

I have tree/weed/grass allergies that I manage with immunotherapy, frequent laundering, and Flonase. Fortunately, powder cleaners don't bother me.

Powder detergents don't cause Valley Fever, only exacerbate symptoms. I've also had pleurisy and mono, so apparently I'm susceptible to lung infections. Breathing in particulates from any source can can make you sick. Think coal mining. I don't have allergies according to the 75 pin-prick tests done during the 9-month multi-physician round of visits looking for a diagnosis of the VF. The spot on my lung is watched and hasn't increased in size. We know not to mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia but if you're working with alkaline and phosphates, you can set off asthma-type reactions.

From www.medicalnewstoday.com:

Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, California disease, Desert rheumatism, and San Joaquin valley fever is a fungal disease that is endemic in certain parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Nevada and northwestern Mexico. It is caused by Coccidioides immitis or C. posadasii. Infected individuals experience fever, chest pain, coughing and some other symptoms.

Coccidioides immitis is a pathogenic fungus that resides in the soil. During long, dry spells the fungus remains dormant, and then develops as a mold with elongated filaments which break off and become airborne spores, known as arthroconidia, during the rainy season. The arthroconidia become airborne after disruption of the soil from farming, earthquakes, wind or construction activity.

Humans become infected by inhaling the fungus particles. Valley fever is not a human-to-human transmissible disease - you cannot catch it from an infected person.

Individuals with mild cases of valley fever do not usually require medical therapy, as the condition resolves on its own. However, in more severe cases the patient may need antifungal medications.

We quit cats and dogs and most of our birds. That helped us a great deal. Still use powder detergent.

Fordtech: Good to see you checking in. Are you still using Sears detergent? Have you tried the one with the Kenmore name? I haven't tried it, just saw it online. If I am not wrong, I think it is an unscented version. I thought you may have changed to the Persil that we can buy here now seeing as you used to use it years ago. I tried the powder in the jug, what ever they call it. Cleaned very good but the smell is just way too much for me.

Hi Sparky, good to see you again as well. Everytime I think I am going to switch from the Sears detergent I keep finding it on sale at a price I cant refuse... LOL

So I am still using it in my refurbished Neptune and my new home. Still no problems.

I wanted to try the Persil but saw too many comments that left me thinking its just not comparable to the original and the original scent was the primary reason I liked it so much.

I have not tried the Kenmore branded detergent. I guess I am stubborn and just stick with what I know works. I just make sure I use some citric acid once a month to keep the hard water deposits down.

Still a stick in the mud... LOL Still using Sears detergent and still using Maytag Neptune.

Have a great holiday weekend Sparky!

Fordtech: I am still using the Neptune also, 16 years now. All I have had done to it was the door switch/board and that was still during the first year and warranty covered that. Sometimes I am surprised it is still running well. I hope it keeps lasting! Hope you have a great weekend also!

Its too bad they didnt give these Neptunes another year or two. People just wanted to punish Maytag and now we have Whirlpool clones being called Maytag.

Valley Fever is also bad here in California, my grandmother had it when she was young. The dust from powders was the main reason I stopped using it, that and it doesn't dissolve completely.