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</div><div><span>Histoplasmosis - acute (primary) pulmonary</span></div></div>
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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Histoplasmosis - acute (primary) pulmonary</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis is a respiratory infection that is caused by inhaling the <a test="test" href="./002307.htm">spores</a> of the fungus <em>Histoplasma capsulatum</em>.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p><em>Histoplasma capsulatum </em>is the name of the fungus that causes histoplasmosis. It is found in the central and eastern United States, eastern Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. It is commonly found in the soil in river valleys. It gets into the soil mostly from bird and bat droppings.</p><p>You can get sick when you breathe in spores that the fungus produces. Every year, thousands of people with a normal immune system worldwide are infected, but most do not become seriously sick. Most have no symptoms or have only a mild flu-like illness and recover without any treatment.</p><p><a test="test" href="./002215.htm">Acute</a> pulmonary <a test="test" href="./001082.htm">histoplasmosis</a> may happen as an epidemic, with many people in one region becoming sick at the same time. People with <a test="test" href="./000818.htm">weakened immune systems</a> (see Symptoms section below) are more likely to:</p><ul><li>Develop the disease if exposed to the fungus</li><li>Have the disease come back</li><li>Have more symptoms, and more serious symptoms, than others who get the disease</li></ul><p>Risk factors include traveling to or living in the central or eastern United States near the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys and being exposed to the droppings of birds and bats. This threat is greatest after an old building is torn down and spores get into the air, or when exploring caves.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Most people with acute pulmonary histoplasmosis have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. The most common symptoms are:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003079.htm">Chest pain</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003091.htm">Chills</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003072.htm">Cough</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003090.htm">Fever</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003261.htm">Joint pain</a> and stiffness</li><li><a test="test" href="./003178.htm">Muscle aches</a> and stiffness</li><li><a test="test" href="./003220.htm">Rash</a> (usually small sores on the lower legs)</li><li>Shortness of breath
</li></ul><p>Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis can be a serious illness in the very young, older people, and people with a weakened immune system, including those who:</p><ul><li>Have <a test="test" href="./000594.htm">HIV/AIDS</a></li><li>Have had <a test="test" href="./003009.htm">bone marrow</a> or solid organ transplants</li><li>Take medicines that suppress their immune system</li></ul><p>Symptoms in these people may include:</p><ul><li>Inflammation around the heart (called <a test="test" href="./000182.htm">pericarditis</a>)</li><li>Serious lung infections</li><li>Severe joint pain</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>To diagnose histoplasmosis, you must have the fungus or signs of the fungus in your body. Or your immune system must show that it is reacting to the fungus.</p><p>Tests include: </p><ul><li>Antibody tests for histoplasmosis</li><li><a test="test" href="./003416.htm">Biopsy</a> of infection site</li><li><a test="test" href="./003857.htm">Bronchoscopy</a> (usually only done if symptoms are severe or you have an abnormal immune system)</li><li><a test="test" href="./003642.htm">Complete blood count</a> (CBC) with differential</li><li><a test="test" href="./003788.htm">Chest CT scan</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003804.htm">Chest x-ray</a> (might show a lung infection or pneumonia)</li><li><a test="test" href="./003723.htm">Sputum culture</a> (this test often does not show the fungus, even if you are infected)</li><li>Urine test for <em>Histoplasma capsulatum</em> antigen</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>Most cases of histoplasmosis clear up without specific treatment. People are advised to rest and take medicine to control fever.</p><p>Your health care provider may prescribe medicine if you are sick for more than 4 weeks, have a weakened immune system, or are having breathing problems.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>When histoplasmosis lung infection is severe or gets worse, the illness may last up to many months. Even then, it is rarely fatal.</p><p>The illness can get worse over time and become a long-term (<a test="test" href="./002312.htm">chronic</a>) lung infection (which doesn't go away).</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Histoplasmosis can spread to other organs through the bloodstream (dissemination). This is often seen in infants, young children, and people with a suppressed immune system.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your provider if:</p><ul><li>You have symptoms of histoplasmosis, especially if you have a weakened immune system or have recently been exposed to bird or bat droppings</li><li>You are being treated for histoplasmosis and develop new symptoms</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-8" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-8"><p>Avoid contact with bird or bat droppings if you are in an area where the spore is common, especially if you have a weakened immune system.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Deepe GS. <em>Histoplasma capsulatum</em> (histoplasmosis). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. <em>Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases</em>. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 263.</p><p>Thompson GR, Miceli MH. Endemic mycoses. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. <em>Goldman-Cecil Medicine</em>. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 308.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 3/16/2024</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. </p>
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