Fungal Pneumonia

As the term suggests, a person is said to be suffering from fungal pneumonia when the fungi ends up entering the body and infecting the lungs. The fungi that causes pneumonia can be either opportunistic or endemic fungi. Endemic fungi is the one that already exists within the person and doesn't need external output, whereas, opportunistic fungi is the one that affects the compromised immune system, that is immune system which has less or no efficiency in its defense mechanism.

At times, the infection can be caused by both endemic as well as opportunistic fungi. The endemic pneumonia is limited in healthy hosts. Healthy hosts are people who have endemic infection, but because they have a stronger immune system, the infection doesn't require treatment most of the time. Although, in compromised immune systems, fungal pneumonia can become contagious and can show some serious symptoms which may require immediate medical attention. We shall discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment of this type of pneumonia as we proceed further with this article.

Causes of Fungal Pneumonia
Fungal pneumonia can be caused due to various factors that can be both external and internal. There are various health conditions that can make the patient prone to fungal infection as the immune system becomes weak. Such pneumonia can be contagious, hence, exposure to infected people or places can also cause fungal pneumonia in a person. Mentioned below are the common reasons that can cause this condition. Have a look...

• HIV/AIDS
• Prolonged Neutropenia
• Bone marrow transplant
• Cryptococcosis, which is a condition caused by inhaling yeast contaminated soil.
• Lymphocutaneous disease known as sporotrichosis, which can infect the lungs with fungi.
• Histoplasmosis, which is caused by the fungus known as Histoplasma Capsulatum
• Coccidioidomycosis, which is caused by an endemic fungus known as C. Immitis, which usually resides in the soil.
• Pulmonary blastomycosis, which is a fungal infection caused by a bacterium known as Blastomyces dermatitidis.
• Aspergillosis
• Rarely, such pneumonia can also be a result of candidiasis

Symptoms of Fungal Pneumonia
The symptoms of fungal pneumonia depend upon the cause behind its occurrence. 90% of the endemic fungal pneumonia is self-limited to a healthy host and doesn't require treatment. However, if the cause is something serious like AIDS, then the symptoms may also vary accordingly. Have a look at the symptoms mentioned below.

• Constant fever
• Cough
• Discomfort in the chest
• Chest pain
• Breathing problems
• Nasal or sinus blockage
• Headaches
• Stiffness in the neck
• Skin lesions
• Allergies

Treatment for Fungal Pneumonia
After going through the causes and symptoms, you would have realized that fungal pneumonia can occur due to any reason, therefore, the treatment would vary from person to person. Many times, the symptoms of fungal pneumonia may be confused as the symptoms of bacterial pneumonia and the health care specialist may advise intake of antibiotics for treatment, which do not work in case of fungal infections. Therefore, as soon as you identify the symptoms, it is best to get in touch with your health care specialist and get yourself checked thoroughly. Various tests and examinations will be conducted by the doctor, which may include x-rays, chest CT scan and radiography, blood test, sputum and fluid examination, and MRI scanning. Based on the outcome of these tests, the doctor will be able to identify the exact cause of the infection, and the treatment would then be advised depending upon the cause. Doctors treat this pneumonia using antifungal drugs like Amphotericin B, itraconazole and flucanazole. In severe cases wherein the infection has caused death of healthy tissues or severe damage to healthy tissues, surgery may be done to remove the dead or damaged tissue so that the infection doesn't spread to the healthy tissue.

It is best to get in touch with your health care specialist as soon as you experience the signs and symptoms of pneumonia caused by fungal infection. This is so because negligence may result in spreading the infection all the more, and realizing the fact that this pneumonia can be contagious, seeking immediate medical attention is mandatory.