What is Histoplasmosis? Let's find out exactly!

Have you ever cleaned an old, dusty place like an old attic, a cave, or a chicken coop? Or worked on an old building being demolished? At times like these, diseases that we don't even think about can enter our bodies through the air we breathe. That's the kind of dangerous condition that we're talking about in this article today, but one that's not talked about much in our country.

Simply put, what is Histoplasmosis?

Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus. To be precise, the fungus that causes it is called `(Histoplasma capsulatum)`. This fungus usually lives in soil. But not in all soils. This fungus grows best in soils that contain a lot of bat or bird droppings .

Think of the soil in an old building, a bat cave, an area with chicken coops, or under a bridge where birds like pigeons frequent. When the soil is dug up, swept, or otherwise disturbed in these places, these fungal spores in the soil can be released into the air. Then, when we breathe that air, those fungal spores can enter our lungs and cause infection .

Who is most at risk of developing this disease?

In fact, most people who are infected with this fungus do not develop any symptoms. A person with a healthy immune system can fight this fungus and control it without any problems. However, for some people, especially certain groups, the disease can cause serious complications.

Those at highest risk are:

• Very young infants and the elderly: Because both of these people have relatively weak immune systems .
• People with chronic lung diseases : This infection can worsen the condition of people with lung diseases such as asthma and COPD .
• People with a deliberately suppressed immune system: Some medical conditions require treatment with medications that suppress the immune system. For example, people who have had an organ transplant, or people who are taking drugs called `(TNF blockers)` (e.g. `(infliximab (Remicade))`).
• People with diseases that weaken the immune system: Cancer patients (especially those undergoing chemotherapy), AIDS patients, and those taking medications such as steroids for a long time are at higher risk.

What are the symptoms? How do we recognize this?

As we mentioned earlier, most people do not develop symptoms. However, if symptoms do appear, they can start between 3 and 17 days after exposure to the fungus (usually around 10 days). Symptoms vary depending on the nature of the disease. Let's look at the table below to understand this more clearly.

How does a doctor find this?

If you have symptoms like fever and cough and you have recently cleaned an old, dusty space, be sure to tell your doctor.

The doctor will examine you, listen to your lungs, and order some tests if they suspect the disease.

• Chest X-ray: To check for signs of infection in the lungs.
• Blood or urine tests: Check for antibodies or antigens related to the fungus.
• Sputum or tissue sample tests: A sputum sample or, if necessary, a small piece of tissue taken from the lungs is examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of the fungus.

How is it treated?

The treatment method depends on the nature and severity of your illness.

• Mild Acute Histoplasmosis: A mild infection in a healthy person often does not require special treatment. Like a cold, it will resolve in a few weeks with plenty of rest and fluids .
• Severe, chronic, or widespread infections: These cases definitely require treatment. Your doctor will prescribe antifungal medications . This treatment can last from a few weeks to several months. If you have a weakened immune system, you may need to take these medications at low doses for the rest of your life. Never stop taking the medication your doctor has prescribed.

What can we do to protect ourselves from this disease?

To avoid this infection, you need to avoid inhaling fungal spores. These things can help.

• If you are cleaning up areas where bats or bird droppings are present (old buildings, caves, chicken coops), wear a good mask. If possible, it is best to use a mask with a high filtration capacity, such as an N95 .
• To reduce dust generation, sprinkle a little water before removing soil or debris. When wet, it reduces the amount of dust that is released into the air.
• If you are in a risk group (with a weakened immune system), stay away from these activities as much as possible.
• After working in a place like this, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

If you have these symptoms, especially if you have a weakened immune system, seek medical advice immediately. If you develop severe difficulty breathing or a high fever, do not hesitate to go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.