Histoplasmosis is an infection that occurs by breathing in spores of the fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum (H. capsulatum). The fungus lives in the soil or in areas contaminated by birds or bars. Most people with histoplasmosis have no symptoms and may never know they are infected. However, histoplasmosis can be serious or even deadly for:
About 500,000 people are exposed to H. capsulatum each year in the United States.
Most people with histoplasmosis have no symptoms or have only mild flu-like illnessvery mild ones. Signs and symptoms that happen in rare cases include the following If symptoms do occur, they may include:
The infection may be active for a short period of time, and then the symptoms go away.
Sometimes, the lung infection may become chronic. Symptoms include:
Trouble breathing can happen to people who breathe in very large amounts of the fungus. It is sometimes called "spelunker's lung" because it can happen after exploring caves.
If the disease spreads throughout the body, it affects many organ systems. A person may have the following symptoms:
Histoplasmosis is caused by a common fungus that is found in mild climates throughout the world. Many people living in the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys of the United States have been infected with the fungus, called H. capsulatum. It grows in moist soil that is rich in nitrogen, or in places contaminated with bird or bat droppings, such as attics, barns, caves, and city parks.
People breathe the spores of fungus into the lungs, where they grow. In people with healthy immune systems, they usually do not spread to other parts of the body. However, in people with weakened immune systems, the disease may spread to other organs.
Histoplasmosis may also occur in the wake of a solid organ transplant, such as a heart, lung, or kidney transplant.
Many people living in mild climates can become infected with histoplasmosis. Those most at risk of becoming infected include:
Those at risk of severe infection include:
Because most people with histoplasmosis have no symptoms, it can be hard to diagnose. Doctors sometimes mistake histoplasmosis for tuberculosis because of similar symptoms and imaging test results. In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may do the following tests:
It isn’t easy to prevent exposure to the fungus that causes histoplasmosis because it is widespread. However, you can minimize the risk by wearing masks or respirators when in places contaminated by bird or bat droppings.
Mild cases of histoplasmosis may not need to be treated. Doctors treat more serious cases with antifungal medications.
Medications stop the fungus from growing in the body. Doctors often use these medications in severe cases when the infection has spread to other organs and tissues throughout the body.
Surgery is only needed in rare cases when serious complications arise.
No supplements cure histoplasmosis and supplements should never be used instead of medical treatment. Ask your doctor about the best ways to add complementary therapies into your overall treatment plan. Always tell your health care provider about the herbs and supplements you are using or considering using.
The following supplements may help reduce symptoms of histoplasmosis or improve the immune system, although there isn't any scientific evidence for their effectiveness:
Herbs can strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your provider before starting any treatment.
These herbs have not been studied specifically for histoplasmosis, but in laboratory studies they were shown to stop the growth of some fungus or improve immune system:
The medications used to treat histoplasmosis may interact with a number of other drugs. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you take. Amphotericin can be toxic to the kidneys, so your doctor will watch you carefully while you take it.
Most people don't have serious complications, but rarely complications may include:
Most cases of histoplasmosis are mild. In the most severe cases, particularly when the infection spreads throughout the body, a person may need to take antifungal medications for a long time. If left untreated, severe cases can cause death. People in areas where the fungus is common may get a second infection, even after treatment.
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