A Fungal Infection
Histoplasmosisis a fungal infection, usually of the lungs.
It is due to breathing in fungal spores from bird or bat feces in the soil.
The fungal spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed, sometimes by construction or clean-up projects.
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The infection can be mild or severe.
The fungus can spread to many body parts, including the lungs and nervous system.
This infection is rare.
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Histoplasmosis Symptoms
Histoplasmosis is triggered by an infection of the fungusHistoplasma capsulatum.
When healthy people are exposed toHistoplasma, they dont usually develop symptoms.
Types of Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmacan causefungal pneumoniaif it infects the lungs.
People with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV, can develop achronic lung infectionwithHistoplasma.
Disseminated histoplasmosis causes irritation and inflammation.
If the sac around the heart gets infected and inflamed, it can cause fungalpericarditisand chest pain.
Histoplasmosis can also spread tothe nervous system.
If the membranes around the brain and spinal cord are infected, it can cause fungalmeningitis.
The leading symptoms offungal meningitisare headache and a stiff neck.
If the infection spreads to the blood, it can impact the eyes, calledocular histoplasmosis.
Its a leading cause of vision loss in people between 20 and 40 years old in the United States.
Causes
Bats and birds spreadHistoplasma capsulatumin their droppings.
Its common in areas around the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys.
The fungus also lives in Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Diagnosis
When you get histoplasmosis, you may have no symptoms or mild symptoms.
For many, they will resolve on their own.
Most people do not know they have been exposed toHistoplasmaand do not show symptoms.
One of the most dangerous aspects of histoplasmosis is severe lung infections.
Cases ofHistoplasmapneumonia can be deadly.
In some people, histoplasmosis hides in the body for months or years.
But about half of these cases relapse.
These rates are for people who are already hospitalized with severe illness.
The overall mortality rate for histoplasmosis is much lower since many people have less severe forms of infection.
People with severe histoplasmosis infections may have complications, including scarring inside the lung or chest cavity.
Getting rest and fluid are the best ways to feel better faster.
Coping with histoplasmosis can be more challenging for individuals with weakened immune systems.
It may require long-term treatment with antifungal medications that need infusions and can cause side effects.
The medicines help reset the infection and reduce complications down the road.
Individuals with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of severe complications from histoplasmosis.
Histoplasmosis can be a stressful and isolating experience.
Seek emotional support from your healthcare provider, friends, family, or a therapist.
Summary
Histoplasmosis is an infection sparked by the fungusHistoplasma capsulatum.
The fungus spreads from bird and bat feces in the soil into the lungs.
The infection can be severe or mild.
The infection is much worse in people with weakened immune systems.
From the lungs, the fungus can spread to many parts of the body, including the nervous system.
Cases of severe histoplasmosis that require hospitalization can be deadly.
Healthy people typically clear a histoplasmosis infection on their own with rest and hydration.
Severe cases of histoplasmosis are rare.
People with severe histoplasmosis may need antifungal medicine for months or years.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Information for health professionals about histoplasmosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Histoplasmosis statistics.
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