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Blastomycosis Causes and Risks:
The disease occurs more often in men and is geographically limited to areas of the south-central and midwestern U.S. and Canada. Men 30 to 50 years old are affected most frequently, but no occupational link is known. Lung infection may produce no symptoms, but when the infection is widespread, skin lesions (see skin lesion of blastomycosis ) or bone lesions may appear, and the urogenital system may be affected. The incidence is 4 out of 100,000 people.
Prevention:
Avoiding travel to areas where the disorder occurs will prevent exposure, but this is not practical for most people. Although other prevention is unknown, the disorder is rare except in people who are immunosuppressed .
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
The objective of treatment is to control the infection with medication; amphotericin B, ketoconazole, or other antifungal agents can be prescribed for all forms of the disease. Periodic follow-up is recommended to detect relapse of the disease.
Prognosis:
Patients with limited skin lesions have the best prognosis (probable outcome). Untreated, the disease is progressive and can lead to death.
Complications:
- large abscesses
- relapse or disease recurrence
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of blastomycosis occur.
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