Histoplasmosis

Chest | Pulmonology | Histoplasmosis (Disease)


Description

Histoplasmosis is the most common endemic fungal infection diagnosed every year. H. capsulatum can occur in high concentrations in some sources (for example, bird and bat feces). Histoplasmosis has also been named Ohio River Valley fever and bird-fanciers disease. Histoplasmosis can affect other mammals like dogs and cats, but these animals do not transfer the disease to humans or to other animals. Dogs, cats, and other mammals develop symptoms mainly due to lung infections with H. capsulatum that mimic human histoplasmosis.

Causes and Risk factors

Histoplasmosis is a disease, usually affecting the lungs, caused by the Histoplasma capsulatum fungus. Although many people that are or have been infected with H. capsulatum do not appear ill, some people in the acute phase of the disease have a dry cough, fever, and chest pains and do feel ill. There are several types of histoplasmosis (acute, chronic, and disseminated, all with subtypes).

Diagnosis and Treatment

Treatment usually isnt necessary if a person has a mild case of histoplasmosis. But if thesymptoms are severe or if there is the chronic or disseminated forms of the disease, treatment with one or more antifungal drugs is needed. Some of these medications come in pill form, but the strongest varieties are administered intravenously. ...