Histoplasmosis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Histoplasmosis is a health problem that occurs when fungal spores in the soil, which are contaminated with bird and bat droppings, are inhaled into the respiratory tract. This can lead to various health problems.
Under normal and healthy conditions, histoplasmosis generally does not cause significant symptoms. However, in those who have a low immune status – both children and adults, histoplasmosis can cause serious health problems that can be life-threatening.
The source of histoplasmosis infection is soil contaminated with animal feces. Therefore, farmers who are exposed to a lot of soil on a daily basis are a group at high risk of experiencing this disease.
Symptom
The symptoms experienced by someone with histoplasmosis vary widely, from mild to severe symptoms. Generally, complaints and symptoms will appear in those who are at high risk about 17 days after exposure.
These symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Dry cough
- Discomfort in the chest area
- Joint pain
- Weight loss
In children and people with low immunity, the symptoms of histoplasmosis are generally severe and can occur in all parts of the body. This symptom is called disseminated histoplasmosis.
Histoplasmosis can spread to the mouth, liver, brain and nerves, skin and adrenal glands. If not treated immediately, histoplasmosis can be life-threatening to the sufferer.
Due to the similarity of symptoms, it is not uncommon for cases of histoplasmosis to be mistaken for tuberculosis. Both can be distinguished from supporting examinations such as chest X-rays and sputum examinations under a microscope.
Reason
The causative organism of histoplasmosis is the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus has body parts that function as a means of reproduction or breeding. These parts are called spores. Histoplasmic fungal spores are very easily blown by the wind and alight on objects in the free environment.
On inanimate objects, the spores do not last long and die soon. However, in objects that contain lots of organic minerals, spores will thrive and easily reproduce. Soil contaminated with droppings from bats, birds and other types of poultry is a fertile medium rich in these organic minerals.
People who are exposed to this soil a lot on a daily basis are a group of people who are at high risk of developing histoplasmosis. For example the farmers.
In healthy people, histoplasmosis does not cause significant health problems and complaints. However, in young children and people with compromised immunity – such as in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or HIV patients, histoplasmosis can cause serious health problems.
However, histoplasmosis is not an infectious disease, so there will be no transmission from person to person.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of histoplasmosis was established on the basis of a medical interview with a history of exposure to contaminated soil. In addition, it can also be seen from the presence of symptoms that lead to histoplasmosis.
This diagnosis is then confirmed with various additional examinations in the form of:
- Lung fluid collection
- Blood and urine tests
- Lung biopsy
- Bone marrow biopsy
Treatment
If there are no complaints and significant health problems, histoplasmosis does not require special therapy. However, in cases of severe histoplasmosis, treatment can be carried out by giving anti-fungal drugs, both oral and intravenous drugs. This treatment can be given for 3 months to 1 year, depending on the severity.
Complications
Various complications can occur from histoplasmosis that is not handled properly. These complications can be:
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to histoplasmosis which damages lung cells.
- Cardiac disorders due to inflammation of the lining covering the heart.
- Adrenal insufficiency due to spread of histoplasmosis to the adrenal glands, which produce various hormones.
- Meningitis or inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord due to the spread of histoplasmosis to the central nervous system.
Prevention
To prevent histoplasmosis from occurring, avoid exposure to contaminated soil as the main step against fungal spores. For farmers or those at high risk of exposure to mold spores, prevent histoplasmosis by using masks that effectively ward off spores.