Is Histoplasmosis Dangerous?

There are so many diseases around these days that it's hard to keep track of them all. Some are caused by bacteria, some by viruses and still others are caused by fungus. Histoplasmosis is an infection that is caused by the fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum. It's actually not a rare condition, but in certain cases, it can become harmful and even fatal to an infected person. Fungi reproduce by spores, small particles that are generally tiny and light weight enough that they float on air currents or are inhaled. The spores of the Histoplasma capsulatum are easily inhaled and settle in the lungs. The really nasty thing about the spores is that they persist in the environment for a long time without dying.

This particular fungus grows in soil and is very common. In the United States, is seems to thrive in the southern states and does even better where there are a lot of bird droppings. For this reason, anyone who works around birds, whether on a farm where there might be a lot of chickens, peacocks, or other fowl or in areas where someone needs to regularly clean up bird droppings, must be very careful not to inhale dust from the droppings. Wearing a respirator mask and gloves is essential to protect oneself. Luckily, the spores are not spread from one person to the next, so infections tend to stay within people who have come in contact with bird droppings. Most people who breathe in the spores will never show any symptoms and can build up a slight immunity against the disease, but for the few who do develop symptoms, it can be bad news.

If the spores spread to other parts of the body outside of the lungs, it changes to an actual disease, not just an infection. This is called disseminated histoplasmosis. Some people can have respiratory trouble that lingers and is accompanied by flu like symptoms; chills, fever, aches, coughing, fatigue. Anyone who has a suppressed immune system or an existing lung disease is more susceptible due to their weakened state. Without treatment, some people with disseminated histoplasmosis can die from infected organs like the lungs, stomach or spleen.

There is treatment, though. A blood test can detect the spores and then an anti-fungal medication can be administered. If someone who is infected shows symptoms, it is usually after a week. Bat guano is also a good carrier of the spores, so anyone exploring in caves must be extra careful. It's always a good idea to wear protective clothing and wash hands thoroughly after handling or coming into contact with bird droppings.