infections
Histoplasmosis
Symptoms of Histoplasmosis
Most people infected withHistoplasmado not develop any symptoms, or they develop only very mild symptoms. Symptoms vary, depending on the form of histoplasmosis. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 17 days after people inhale the spores. People may feel sick, have a fever and a cough, and feel as though they have the flu. Symptoms usually disappear without treatment in 2 weeks and rarely last longer than 6 weeks. People who inhale many spores may develop pneumonia. They may become very short of breath and be ill for months. Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis is very rarely fatal but can become serious in people with a weakened immune system (such as those with AIDS). Symptoms are vague at first. People may feel tired, weak, and generally ill. Symptoms may worsen very slowly or extremely rapidly. Pneumonia may develop but is rarely severe, except in people with AIDS. Rarely, Subacute and Chronic Meningitis (inflammation of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord) may develop, causing a headache and a stiff neck. The liver, spleen, and lymph nodes may enlarge. Less commonly, the infection causes ulcers to form in the mouth and intestines. Rarely, the adrenal glands are damaged, causing Even with treatment, histoplasmosis may be rapidly fatal in people with AIDS. This lung infection develops gradually over several weeks, causing a cough and difficulty breathing that become increasingly worse. Symptoms include weight loss, night sweats, a mild fever, and a general feeling of illness (malaise). Most people recover without treatment. However, breathing difficulties may continue to worsen, and some people cough up blood, sometimes in large amounts. Lung tissue is destroyed, and scar tissue forms. Lung damage or bacterial invasion of the lungs may eventually be fatal. 