Histoplasmosis - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Histoplasmosis Definition

An infectious disease caused by the inhalation of spores of Histoplasma capsulatum, most often asymptomatic but occasionally producing acute pneumonia or an influenzalike illness and spreading to other organs and systems in the body. Fatal disseminated disease is more common in infants and elderly men. Chronic histoplasmosis affects the lungs and can be fatal. Disseminated histoplasmosis affects many organ systems in the body and is often fatal, especially to people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Histoplasmosis occurs worldwide, especially in the temperate areas of Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America. In the United States, it is most prevalent in the central and eastern states, especially in the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys. Histoplasmosis also called Ohio Valley disease.

Histoplasmosis Causes

Histoplasmosis may be caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Histoplasma may be caused acute or chronic lung disease and progressive disseminated histoplasmosis affecting a number of organs. It can be fatal if untreated. he acute respiratory disease is characterized by respiratory symptoms, a general ill feeling, and fever. Disseminated histoplasmosis is seen almost exclusively in patients with AIDS or other immune defects. In disseminated histoplasmosis the infection may move to the spleen, liver, and bone marrow.

Anyone can get histoplasmosis, but people who come in contact with bird and bat excrement are more likely to be infected. This includes farmers, gardeners, bridge inspectors and painters, roofers, chimney cleaners, demolition and construction workers, people installing or servicing heating and air conditioning units, people restoring old or abandoned buildings, and people who explore caves.

Histoplasmosis Symptoms

Most people with histoplasmosis have no symptoms. Symptoms start within 3 to 17 days after exposure; the average is 10 days. Chronic histoplasmosis is a serious disease that can result in death.

The other symptoms of the histoplasmosis may be included:

• Fever
• Chest pains
• Dry cough
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Skin lesions
• Mouth sores
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive sweating
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Nonproductive cough

Histoplasmosis Treatments

The mainstay of therapy for histoplasmosis is antifungal therapy.

Acute primary histoplasmosis generally requires no treatment other than rest.

Non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used to treat pain and relieve fever.

Patients with AIDS must continue to take the drug itraconazole (Sporonox) orally for the rest of their lives in order to prevent a relapse.

Avoiding smoke and using a cool air humidifier may ease chest pain.