Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease spread through spores or fungal elements suspended in dust particles and inhaled. Less than 5% of those exposured to low levels will develop clinical symptoms. However, high levels of exposure increase the risk of symptoms and the seriousness of the manifestations. The most common acute symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, cough, and chest pain but other manifestations may include inflammation around the heart, joint pains and some painful rashes on the legs. Most normal people improve within 2 weeks, although some may remain fatigued for several months. It is not usually necessary to treat those infected unless the disease spreads to other areas of the body or unless the person’s immune system is not fully functioning such as occurs in AIDS. There are blood tests to help confirm the diagnosis. Cavers should be cautious where there are large bat populations in dusty caves.

MD Consult L.L.C.   http://www.mdconsult.com

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Additional Resource on the Subject by Gary Smith URL: http://wasg.iinet.net.au/histo.html