I know its only a TV show, But did anyone see "House", there was one episode, where A young Hispanic guy with asthma contracted, "Histoplasmosis" from handling chickens during cock fights breathing in the dust and dander created by chickens. The poor guy ended up with gang green and lost a hand, he nearly died too.
Now this might have just been a TV show episode, but it is a real disease....and can be deadly.
Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. It usually affects the lungs, but can sometimes spread to other parts of the body.
What causes histoplasmosis?
Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus grows in warm, moist places like dirt. It grows especially well in the droppings of bats,
chickens, pigeons, starlings, and blackbirds.
Who is at risk for histoplasmosis?
People who work with dirt, birds, or bats are the most at risk. This includes farmers with chicken coops, construction workers, gardeners who use chicken manure, and people who work with birds. The fungus Histoplasma capsulatum is only found in certain parts of Canada.
Signs and symptoms of histoplasmosis
Overall, about 10% of people infected with histoplasmosis show symptoms. Children, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems (for example, from HIV infection) are more likely to show symptoms. Histoplasmosis symptoms can be mild or severe. The people that do have symptoms may feel like they have a flu, or notice:
* Fever
* Chills
* Headache
* Cough
* Fatigue
People who have histoplasmosis as well as an underlying lung disease like COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis) may notice the symptoms listed above as well as the following symptoms:
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
* Sweating
The symptoms of a histoplasmosis infection can appear 5 - 18 days after being exposed to the fungus.
How is histoplasmosis diagnosed?
Histoplasmosis is usually diagnosed by laboratory examination of a sputum (mucus) sample or a lung biopsy. If the sample shows Histoplasma capsulatum, you have histoplasmosis. Your doctor may also order chest x-rays and blood tests.
Treatment of histoplasmosis
Most people with histoplasmosis- especially people with no symptoms- do not need any medical treatment. People with symptoms are often treated with antifungal medicines, corticosteroids, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
What can I expect if I have histoplasmosis?
Histoplasmosis is generally a mild infection, but it varies. In rare cases histoplasmosis can be serious, or even fatal. If you think you have histoplasmosis, see your doctor. Your doctor can tell you what to expect.
How can we prevent histoplasmosis?
The easiest way to prevent histoplasmosis is to stay away from the things that may harbour this fungus- soil, bird droppings, etc. If it?s not possible to avoid soil and bird droppings, people can wear protective equipment to lower their risk of infection. This handbook from the United States' National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health explains how to protect against histoplasmosis:
Histoplasmosis - Protecting Workers at Risk.
