Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum , which can be transmitted mainly by pigeons and bats. This disease is more common and more serious in people who have a weakened immune system, such as people with AIDS or who have had a transplant, for example.
Contamination by the fungus occurs when inhaling the fungi present in the environment and the symptoms vary according to the amount of spores inhaled, with fever, chills, dry cough and difficulty breathing, for example. In some cases, the fungus may also spread to other organs, especially the liver.
Treatment should be done according to the doctor's recommendation, and the use of antifungal drugs, such as Itraconazole and Amphotericin B, for example, is usually recommended by the doctor.
Histoplasmosis symptoms
The symptoms of histoplasmosis usually appear between 1 and 3 weeks after contact with the fungus and vary according to the amount of fungus inhaled and the person's immune system. The greater the amount of fungus inhaled and the more compromised the immune system, the more severe the symptoms.
The main symptoms of histoplasmosis are:
- Fever; Chills; Headache; Difficulty breathing; Dry cough; Chest pain; Excessive tiredness.
Usually, when the symptoms are mild and the person does not have a weakened immune system, the symptoms of histoplasmosis disappear after a few weeks, however it is common for small calcifications to appear in the lungs.
When the person has a weakened immune system, being more frequent in people with AIDS, who have had a transplant or are using immunosuppressive drugs, the symptoms are more chronic, and there may be mainly severe respiratory changes.
In addition, in the absence of treatment or lack of a correct diagnosis, the fungus can spread to other organs, giving rise to the disseminated form of the disease, which can be fatal.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for histoplasmosis varies according to the severity of the infection. In the case of mild infections, the symptoms may disappear without the need for any treatment, however the use of Itraconazole or Ketoconazole, for example, which should be used for 6 to 12 weeks according to the doctor's guidance, may be recommended..
In the case of more serious infections, the general practitioner or infectious disease specialist may indicate the use of Amphotericin B directly in the vein.
