Histoplasmosis

What is Histoplasmosis?

Histoplasmosis is a disease that affects the lungs and is caused by the fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. The symptoms and seriousness of this disease varies greatly from case to case but it has the potential to affect the other parts of the body as well and in that case it is called disseminated histoplsmosis. The disease is spread through the airborne spore that people breathe into and that is how it reaches the lungs. The severity of the disease is determined by the number of number of fungus spores that has been inhaled by the body. People like farmers, landscapers and construction are prone to suffer from this disease. The disease can be found in any part of the world and the fungus that causes Histoplasmosis thrives well on soil that receives bird droppings to a large extent.

Symptoms of Histoplasmosis

There are various types of Histoplasmosis and the symptoms might differ. In the early stages there are no symptoms at all but in the later stages it can cause severe problems. The symptoms start showing at the earliest within approximately 3 to 17 days and latest within approximately 12 to 14 days. If the case is not serious there would be no signs at all except for some small scars on the lungs and that can only be seen when an x-ray picture is taken out and special radiologic tests can confirm whether the nodules are cancerous. In case of moderate or severe Histoplasmosis the symptoms would include the following:

• Fever
• Pain in the Chest
• Loss of Weight
• Dry Cough
• Headache
• Sweats
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Cough that might bring up blood
• Night sweats

It might happen in some cases there might be an inflammation of the sac around the heart though it does not mean tat the infection has spread out of your lungs. In case of Histoplasmosis spreading out of the lungs the symptoms would include Anemia, Pneumonia, Pericarditis, Meningitis, Adrenal insufficiency and ulcers in the mouth, tongue or the intestinal tract.

Causes of Histoplasmosis

As mentioned earlier the fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum that causes Histoplasmosis, which is found in the temperate regions of the world is also commonly found in the United States of America, causes the disease. It thrives in damp soil that is rich in organic material by the droppings of the bat and the bird. When the spores or the reproductive cells of the fungus float in the air or soil contaminated with the fungus floats around and is breathed by in by humans or birds, they are infected by Histoplasmosis. The spores, once they enter the lungs are captured by the macrophages, which are the immune system cells of the body. They are carried to the lymph nodes where they multiply and grow. At times without we noticing it the body kills the germs and throws them out but when the body fails to take care of the fungus that is when the symptoms start showing.

Treatment of Histoplasmosis

As mentioned earlier in some of the cease is not at all required but if the symptoms are showing and they are severe then it can be treated with antifungal medicines like Amphoterin B and Itraconazole. In mild cases only the latter helps.