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Histoplasmosis Facts Page 2 of 3 <br /> What are the signs and symptoms of histoplasmosis? <br /> Most infected persons have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they vary widely, depending on the <br /> form of the disease. <br /> The lung infection can be short-term (acute) and relatively mild, or it can be long-term (chronic) and <br /> serious. Symptoms of the acute lung infection are tiredness, fever, chills, chest pains, and a dry cough. <br /> The chronic lung infection is like tuberculosis and occurs mostly in persons who already have lung <br /> disease. It can progress over months or years and can scar the lungs. <br /> Disseminated histoplasmosis results in a variety of serious symptoms and can involve all body organs. <br /> The liver and spleen usually become enlarged, and sores in the mouth or gastrointestinal tract can <br /> develop. Disseminated histoplasmosis can be fatal. <br /> How soon after exposure do symptoms appear? <br /> Symptoms of acute disease usually appear in 5 to 18 days (usually 10 days) after exposure. <br /> x <br /> `r <br /> f <br /> How is histoplasmosis diagnosed? <br /> Diagnosis can be made by laboratory culture or a blood test. A skin test is available but is useful only for <br /> outbreak investigations, not for diagnosis. <br /> I� <br /> 1 <br /> Who is at risk for histoplasmosis? <br /> Anyone can get histoplasmosis. Chronic lung infections are more common in males than in females, and <br /> particularly in persons with chronic lung disease. Disseminated histoplasmosis occurs most often in <br /> infants, young children, and persons with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer or HN <br /> infection. <br /> k <br /> What complications can result from histoplasmosis? <br /> Acute histoplasmosis can keep getting worse or can become chronic. Acute histoplasmosis can also <br /> spread from the lungs to other organs and lead to the disseminated form of the disease, especially in <br /> persons with weakened immune systems. <br /> What is the treatment for histoplasmosis? <br /> Persons with mild disease usually get better on their own. Severe cases of acute histoplasmosis and all <br /> cases of chronic and disseminated disease are treated with fungus-killing medicines. <br /> I <br /> http://www.dhpe.org/infect/histo.html 5/23/2008 <br />