This post is very good information. Thank you to the OP and to everyone else who has written in with their stories of Histo infections! I had never heard about Histoplasmosis. Chickens are a relatively new venture for me. I do however live in the Northeastern US so I will take more precautions when cleaning the coop and turning over the manure pile. There should definitely be a sticky for this thread!
If you don't want a full case of masks or can't afford a full case right away
https://www.zefon.com/ sells the masks in smaller quantities (as little as 1) though cost effectively it is in the long run cheaper to buy a case of the N95 rated stuff at the link that was posted earlier in this thread. After seeing this post I looked around and found Zefon. I ordered 2 3M 8293 respirators which are the P100 rated ones. I went for the higher rating because I wanted a mask for me for the coop, but also after reading the different mask descriptions, one for DH when he is working with lead for reloading purposes. The 8293 is rated for molds and for lead particles. Also these masks have adjustable straps for a more custom fit. They are cheaper individually from Zefon than by the case from the link posted earlier in this thread.
http://www.zefon.com/store/3m-8293-p100-particulate-respirator.html I also like that these ones are 99.97% effective at filtering out these different particles. When I have more money to spare in our budget I will buy more but these 2 should last us a while anyways.
If you really want to go nuts Zefon has Tyvek suits too
With the price tag on those I think I'll just stick with the standard barn outfit I've worn in the past, an over sized pair of overalls and sweatshirt that I can wear over the clothes I wear outside. My "barn clothes" method has worked for me for 16 years now, working around all manner of creatures (from snakes and birds, cows and pigs, to lions and tigers), so I don't see any reason to change to something else now in that department.
To Note: Toxoplasmosis (carried by cats) can infect young children and immuno compromised adults in rare cases as well, it is not exclusively passed from mother to infant. Anyone who is immuno compromised (or pregnant) and owns cats should take precautions when scooping or changing the litterbox. Also steps should be taken to prevent outdoor cats from defecating in sand boxes and other places where children, immuno compromised adults, or pregnant women dig. Toxo is dangerous and often in infected adults it is deadly, especially since affected adults are often not properly diagnosed before the infection is very severe. Once Toxoplasmosis infects the body it never leaves and there is always the risk that symptoms will reoccur.
