Histoplasmosis is a lung infection that occurs from exposure to the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Many individuals who contract the illness pass through it without any symptoms.
The acute version of Histoplasmosis is relatively mild, with simple flu-like symptoms. Fever can occur, along with chest pains, an unproductive cough, and just not feeling well in general.
A more serious case of Histoplasmosis includes symptoms like skin lesions, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood. Also common are excessive sweating, headache, mouth sores, and stiffness in the neck.
While the disease may remain mostly in the lungs, it can be detected by a chest x-ray. However, as the fungus spores may spread, it can also be discovered in bone marrow, lymph nodes, or in samples of urine, sputum, or blood.
While the symptoms may be serious, treatment is relatively simple. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, doctors prescribe antifungals to kill the fungus throughout the body systems, from the lungs to the bone marrow, effectively curing the disease.
Information on this page is for reference and educational purposes only. For more information about histoplasmosis, talk to your doctor or primary care provider.