Histoplasmosis !!! Please read !!! Important for all !!

[NanaJune]

So, what are the actual symptoms. I have been sick for 3 days now. Sicker than I think I have ever been. I have been to the ER twice, and they give me a non-descriptive sinus infection/possible virus/upper respiratory infection diagnosis. I have not been running a high fever - only 99.5 to 99.8. But I ache all over; no appetite; sinus pain; I feel like my skin is burning/on fire; tickle and tightness in my chest with a dry cough. They put me on antibiotics, of course, which I haven't taken for 10 years. I always do accupuncture and natural health care, but this feeling really scares me, so I am taking the antibiotics. It kind of comes in waves. I feel a little better when I first wake up, and then WHAM, I feel HORRIBLE again.

I hate to go to the ER again, but I may go and make them do a blood test. It can be detected in a blood test, right?

Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Chicken Woman]

Quote:
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen … l/746.html

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

I have Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis, so I wanted to thank you so very much for informing us about this. I had no idea that this is something we all could be at risk for. We will all take precautions now, thank you so much.

 

[woolychicken]

WOW !!!! THANKS I NEVER KNEW THAT .

 

[Spinster_Sister]

Thank you so much for posting this. I have been sick for the past week with night sweats, shivering, bad headaches/bodyaches and a tight wheezy chest. I like to clean out my pullet's brooder everyday by hand without a mask because I only have two and I am strict on their litter maintenance.
I picked up a 10 pack of air filter masks today for cleaning their litter.

I will call my doctor tomorrow and check if I need to pay a visit to her office.

~Vickie

 

[Chicken0Boy]

What about me in S.c.

 

[kayri]

Can you get histoplasmosis from cleaning out an elevated coop that has no contact with the soil? I suppose the chickens track dirt in on their feet, but if it is a soil borne disease and the coop is off the ground, you shouldn't be able to get it form just the shavings, right?

 

[welovechickens]

FWIW, I had these symptoms and ended up having swine flu. Developed a severe sinus infection and bronchitis as complications. I've never worn a mask to just clean my chickens' house, but I guess I'll start! They do make a lot of dust.

I don't want a repeat of those type symptoms!

 

[firedove]

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.

 

[gypsy2621]

Chicken coops are not the only points of entry for this,
you have to factor in , mice, pigeons, rats, etc. all animal droppings can harbour this fungus.
its not only chicken coops, but the mice in your walls.
the pigeons that roost on your roof. you can pick this up anywhere at any time.

Just be careful of starting a witch hunt.