Histoplasmosis - Symptoms & Treatment

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that varies in symptoms and seriousness. Histoplasmosis is often so mild that it produces no apparent symptoms. Any symptoms that might occur are often similar to those from a common cold. It usually affects the lungs and causes a short-term, treatable lung infection. When it affects other parts of the body, it is called disseminated histoplasmosis. Disseminated histoplasmosis can be fatal. Histoplasmosis occurs at any age. Disseminated disease is more likely to occur in individuals at the extremes of life unless a person has immunodeficiency. The infection sometimes can spread to other parts of the body. Its symptoms vary greatly, but the disease primarily affects the lungs. Occasionally, other organs are affected-this form of the disease is called disseminated histoplasmosis, and it can be fatal if untreated. Farmers, landscapers, construction workers and people who have contact with birds or bats are especially at risk. Most people with histoplasmosis never develop signs and symptoms and aren't aware they have the disease.

Most people with histoplasmosis do not have any symptoms. It is very common in people who live in the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. Histoplasmosis is spread through the air. If soil containing the histoplasmosis fungus is disturbed, the fungus spores get into the air. The disease is not spread from person to person. People can breathe in the spores and get histoplasmosis. The fungus has been found in poultry house litter, caves, areas harboring bats, and in bird roosts (particularly those of starlings ). Histoplasmosis occurs in places that have moderate temperatures and moisture. Symptoms typically appear within 3 to 17 days after exposure and may include fever, chest pains, and a dry cough. Mild cases, however, may present no symptoms at all, or may be dismissed as a cold. Anyone can get histoplasmosis. It is recognized more often in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients. However, histoplasmosis can be severe and produce an illness similar to tuberculosis. Mild disease usually resolves without treatment.

Causes of Histoplasmosis

The common causes and risk factor's of Histoplasmosis include the following:

• Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus.
• Environmental exposure and underlying immune status.
• Cigarette smoking 
• Residence in areas where histoplasmosis is prevalent.
• Lung disease.
• Birds (especially chickens), bats, dogs, cats, rats, skunks, opossum, foxes and other animals can get histoplasmosis and may play a role in spreading the disease.

Symptoms of Histoplasmosis

Some sign and symptoms related to Histoplasmosis are as follows:

• A dry cough.
• Body aches.
• Fever and headache.
• Sweats.
• Chest pain.
• Myalgias.
• Nonproductive cough.

Treatment of Histoplasmosis

Here is list of the methods for treating Histoplasmosis:

• Severe cases of histoplasmosis are treated with fungus-killing medicines.
• In the chronic cavitary form, itraconazole or amphotericin B may eliminate the fungus, although the destruction caused by the infection leaves behind scar tissue.
• Mild cases of histoplasmosis usually require minimal treatment, such as bed rest and analgesics (pain medication).
• Some people have to go to the hospital to get oxygen therapy and intravenous fluids.
• Surgery is only necessary in rare cases when serious complications associated with the infection arise.
• Long term maintenance therapy is usually needed.

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