Histoplasmosis

by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

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Definition | Causes | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention

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Definition

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that often causes a respiratory illness.

 

Causes

Histoplasmosis is caused by infection with a fungus. Humans become infected by exposure to bird and bat droppings.

 

Risk Factors

Factors that increases your chance of getting histoplasmosis include:

• Having a job that puts you in contact with bird or bat droppings (such as an aviary)
• Being involved in activities that put you in contact with bird or bat droppings (such as cave exploration)
• Keeping birds as pets
• Living along river valleys
• Living in Mississippi, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, or Tennessee
• Living in eastern Canada, Mexico, Central or South America, parts of the Carribbean, southeast Asia, or Africa
• Having recently traveled to a location where histoplasmosis is common
• Having a medical condition that weakens your immune system (especially HIV)

 

Symptoms

Many patients may not have any symptoms.

Symptoms may include:

• Weakness
• Headache
• Achy muscles
• Joint pain
• Fever
• Chills
• Malaise (a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness)
• Hemoptysis (spitting out blood)
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Mouth sores
• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Skin rashes
• Loss of vision

 

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Tests may include:

• Blood tests
• Blood culture
• Sputum culture
• Pulmonary function test
• Skin testing
• Urine antigen testing
• X-rays of chest and/or abdomen
• Bone marrow tests

 

Treatment

 

Prevention

If you might be exposed to bird or bat droppings, wear a face mask. If you have a weakened immune system, completely avoid bird and bat droppings.

 RESOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

 CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Communicable Disease Control Unit
Manitoba Health
http://www.gov.mb.ca/

Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

REFERENCES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed 11/11/2009.

Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. Lange Medical Books; 2001.

Family Practice Sourcebook. Mosby; 2000.

Ferri's Clinical Advisor. Mosby; 2000.

The Little Black Book of Primary Care. Blackwell Science; 1999.

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Last reviewed November 2009 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Last Updated: 11/24/2009