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Histoplasmosis is also known as Darling's disease and it is caused when the flying spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum get inhaled inside the lungs. This disease mainly affects the lungs and other parts of the body. If you will not treat yourself then this diseases can get critical too. The fungus causing this condition grows very fast in moderate temperatures and in moist surroundings. This fungus is easily found everywhere in the world in places where there are chickens, starlings, pigeons, bat and blackbirds droppings are accumulated.
When these get released into the air due to plowing of the field then the lungs inhale it and thus the person suffers from Histoplasmosis. Birds carry this fungus on their feathers but are not affected by the disease caused by the fungus, as their body temperature is high. Only bat gets affected with this condition, as their body temperature is also low like humans.
Causes of Histoplasmosis -
As mentioned earlier the main reason behind Histoplasmosis is the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus produces spores, which fly in the air and can get inhaled by the lungs. The main victims of this disease are farmers, construction workers, landscapers and those who live near construction sites and village area. In the initial stage of the disease, this condition is not threatening and there are no signs and symptoms of any kind of illness. In the next stage the victim suffers from common cold. The immune system of the victim is strong enough to fight with the infection and thus the victim gets cure from the condition without any kind of treatment.
Symptoms of Histoplasmosis -
Once the victim inhales the fungus causing Histoplasmosis then within 3 to 17 days the symptoms of this condition start appearing. The symptoms and signs also depend upon the number of spores inhaled. The victim will not feel comfortable and might have common cold. The symptoms will also depend on the immune system of the victim. If the victim has low immune system then he or she might fall seriously ill also. Along with lungs this fungus can also affect liver, eyes, skin, intestinal tract, adrenal glands and bone marrow. Anemia, pneumonia, meningitis, mouth ulcers, tongue ulcers and intestinal tract problems and pericarditis are some of the other symptoms of this condition. Many victims will have body pain, chills, fever, headaches, nausea and vomiting along with other symptoms.
Treatment for Histoplasmosis –
The treatment for Histoplasmosis will depend upon the severity of the condition. In case of complex cases, the doctor will give the patient anti-fungal treatments. The mild condition of Histoplasmosis will get cured on its own and will not need any treatment. The treatment will also be given to get relief from the symptoms of the disease. There are various medicines available to cure the most complex forms of the disease. In case the victim of this condition is a patient of AIDS then he or she will have to take life long anti-fungal medications so as to avoid any serious threat to their life.
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