|
Histoplasmosis; acute (primary) pulmonary Causes and Risks:
Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus in the central and eastern U.S., eastern Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Most cases are without symptoms ( asymptomatic ) or people have a mild flu-like illness and recover uneventfully. Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis may occur in epidemics. Progressive and chronic disease can also occur. Risk factors are travel or residence in the central or eastern U.S. and exposure to the droppings of birds and bats. The incidence is 1 out of 1,000,000 people.
Prevention:
Avoiding travel to areas where this spore is found would prevent it (but this is not practical). Avoid bird or bat droppings if you are in one of these areas, especially if you are immunosuppressed .
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
Treatment for acute pulmonary histoplasmosis is usually not necessary. Amphotericin B, an antifungal medication, may be given for severe cases. Treatment with Amphotericin B is given for 2 weeks to children under 2 years old because they are at risk for developing disseminated histoplasmosis .
Prognosis:
When severe and progressive, the illness may last for 1 to 6 months but is rarely fatal.
Complications:
Histoplasmosis can spread to other organs through the bloodstream (dissemination). This is usually seen in infants, young children, and immunosuppressed patients.
Acute histoplasmosis can progressively worsen or can become chronic histoplasmosis .
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of histoplasmosis occur (to rule out other causes of the symptoms), or if new symptoms develop.
|
