Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is an infection due to the histoplasma capsulation fungus. There are several different categories of histoplasmosis: acute symptomatic pulmonary, chronic pulmonary and disseminated histoplasmosis. Some may not have any symptoms while others have fever, chills, cough, chest pain, cough, excessive sweating, weakness, mouth sores, and shortness of breath, rashes, or skin lesions. Symptoms normally occur within the first 3 to 17 days of exposure. Infections enter the body through the lungs. Histoplasma fungus grows as a mold in soil, and infection results from breathing in airborne particles. In the United States, it is most common in the southeastern, mid-Atlantic, and central states. It is best to stay away from dust in contaminated environments such as chicken coops and bat caves. Testing includes samples containing the fungus taken from sputum, blood, or infected organs. Chest x-rays are normal in 40-70% of cases. Chronic cases can resemble tuberculosis on chest x-rays. Primary treatments are normally an antifungal drug. Long term treatments with anti-fungal drugs are used after treatment with ampholericin.