Emailing: Histoplasmosis--ATTN: Terri G

August 11, 2007

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Definition of Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis: A disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Most people with histoplasmosis have no symptoms. However, histoplasma can cause acute or chronic lung disease and progressive disseminated histoplasmosis affecting a number of organs. It can be fatal if untreated.

Positive skin tests to Histoplasma occur in as many as 80% of the people living in areas where the fungus is common, such as the eastern and central United States. Infants, young children, and older persons, in particular those with chronic lung disease are at increased risk for severe disease. Disseminated disease is more frequently seen in people with cancer or AIDS.

The fungus grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Spores become airborne when contaminated soil is disturbed. Breathing the spores causes infection. The disease is not transmitted from an infected person to someone else.

Symptoms start within 3 to 17 days after exposure; the average is 10 days. The acute respiratory disease is characterized by respiratory symptoms, a general ill feeling, fever, chest pains, and a dry or nonproductive cough. Distinct patterns may be seen on a chest x-ray. Chronic lung disease resembles tuberculosis and can worsen over months or years. The disseminated form is fatal, unless treated.

Mild cases resolve without treatment. Severe cases of acute histoplasmosis and all cases of chronic and disseminated disease are treated with antifungal medications, usually for life in those with compromised immune systems.

WebMD Medical Reference from MedicineNet

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Definition of Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis: A disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Most people with histoplasmosis have no symptoms. However, histoplasma can cause acute or chronic lung disease and progressive disseminated histoplasmosis affecting a number of organs. It can be fatal if untreated.

Positive skin tests to Histoplasma occur in as many as 80% of the people living in areas where the fungus is common, such as the eastern and central United States. Infants, young children, and older persons, in particular those with chronic lung disease are at increased risk for severe disease. Disseminated disease is more frequently seen in people with cancer or AIDS.

The fungus grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Spores become airborne when contaminated soil is disturbed. Breathing the spores causes infection. The disease is not transmitted from an infected person to someone else.

Symptoms start within 3 to 17 days after exposure; the average is 10 days. The acute respiratory disease is characterized by respiratory symptoms, a general ill feeling, fever, chest pains, and a dry or nonproductive cough. Distinct patterns may be seen on a chest x-ray. Chronic lung disease resembles tuberculosis and can worsen over months or years. The disseminated form is fatal, unless treated.

Mild cases resolve without treatment. Severe cases of acute histoplasmosis and all cases of chronic and disseminated disease are treated with antifungal medications, usually for life in those with compromised immune systems.

WebMD Medical Reference from MedicineNet

Must Read Health Headlines â€” Go to the WebMD News Center

Crocs: Healthy Shoes or Just Comfy? Flip-Flops: Fun, but Beware of Foot Pain Going Nutty Over Peanut Butter 6 Serious Medical Symptoms You Shouldnâ€™t Ignore

Men

Women

Children

1

Steroid Doping

2

Seizures

3

Shingles

4

Gout

5

Hemorrhoids

6

HPV

7

Alcoholism

8

Marijuana

9

Testosterone

10

Vasectomy Reversals

11

Secrets

12

Pornography

Men

Women

Children

1

Breastfeeding

2

Yeast Infection

3

Menopause

4

Birth Control

5

Fatigue

6

Soy

7

Binge Eating

8

Skin Cancer

9

Ovarian Cyst

10

HPV Vaccine

11

Pregnancy

12

Thyroid

Men

Women

Children

1

Pinkeye

2

Strep Throat

3

SIDS

4

Swollen Glands

5

Fever

6

Immunizations

7

Diarrhea

8

Heat Rash

9

Ear Infection

10

Healthy Weight

11

Autism

12

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Men

Women

Children

1

Antidepressants

2

Chiropractic Care

3

Erectile Dysfunction

4

Glucosamine

5

Heart Bypass Surgery

6

Heartburn Treatments

7

Hernia Repair

8

Shingles Medications

9

Pain Relievers

10

Prostate Surgery

11

Sleeping Pills

12

Statins

Men

Women

Children

1

Antidepressants

2

Birth Control

3

Echinacea

4

Osteoporosis Treatment

5

Gallbladder Surgery

6

Hormone Replacement

7

Hysterectomy

8

Infertility Medications

9

Meditation

10

Pain Relievers

11

Statins

12

Sleeping Pills

Men

Women

Children

1

Acne Treatment

2

Dyslexia Treatment

3

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4

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5

Asthma Medications

6

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7

Dehydration Treatment

8

Strep Throat Treatment

9

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10

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11

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August 11, 2007

Darlene,

I knew histoplasmosis sounded familiar; I used to have a lot of birds.

I would even hand feed birds that fell out of the nests. It has been a

long time and now I know why I new it.

Thanks.

Terri G.

>

> Histoplasmosis

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Resources Font SizeA A A Definition of Histoplasmosis

> Histoplasmosis: A disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.

Most people with histoplasmosis have no symptoms. However, histoplasma

can cause acute or chronic lung disease and progressive disseminated

histoplasmosis affecting a number of organs. It can be fatal if

untreated.

>

> Positive skin tests to Histoplasma occur in as many as 80% of the

people living in areas where the fungus is common, such as the eastern

and central United States. Infants, young children, and older persons,

in particular those with chronic lung disease are at increased risk for

severe disease. Disseminated disease is more frequently seen in people

with cancer or AIDS.

>

> The fungus grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird

droppings. Spores become airborne when contaminated soil is disturbed.

Breathing the spores causes infection. The disease is not transmitted

from an infected person to someone else.

>

> Symptoms start within 3 to 17 days after exposure; the average is 10

days. The acute respiratory disease is characterized by respiratory

symptoms, a general ill feeling, fever, chest pains, and a dry or

nonproductive cough. Distinct patterns may be seen on a chest x-ray.

Chronic lung disease resembles tuberculosis and can worsen over months

or years. The disseminated form is fatal, unless treated.

>

> Mild cases resolve without treatment. Severe cases of acute

histoplasmosis and all cases of chronic and disseminated disease are

treated with antifungal medications, usually for life in those with

compromised immune systems.

>

> WebMD Medical Reference from MedicineNet

>

> Must Read Health Headlines â€ " Go to the WebMD News Center

>

> a.. Crocs: Healthy Shoes or Just Comfy?

> b.. Flip-Flops: Fun, but Beware of Foot Pain

> c.. Going Nutty Over Peanut Butter

> d.. 6 Serious Medical Symptoms You Shouldnâ€™t Ignore

>

> MenWomen Children

> a.. 1Steroid Doping b.. 2Seizures c.. 3Shingles d.. 4Gout e..

5Hemorrhoids f.. 6HPV g.. 7Alcoholism h.. 8Marijuana i.. 9Testosterone

j.. 10Vasectomy Reversals k.. 11Secrets l.. 12Pornography Men

WomenChildren

> a.. 1Breastfeeding b.. 2Yeast Infection c.. 3Menopause d.. 4Birth

Control e.. 5Fatigue f.. 6Soy g.. 7Binge Eating h.. 8Skin Cancer i..

9Ovarian Cyst j.. 10HPV Vaccine k.. 11Pregnancy l.. 12Thyroid Men Women

Children

> a.. 1Pinkeye b.. 2Strep Throat c.. 3SIDS d.. 4Swollen Glands e..

5Fever f.. 6Immunizations g.. 7Diarrhea h.. 8Heat Rash i.. 9Ear

Infection j.. 10Healthy Weight k.. 11Autism l.. 12Toy Recall

> MenWomen Children

> a.. 1Antidepressants b.. 2Chiropractic Care c.. 3Erectile Dysfunction

d.. 4Glucosamine e.. 5Heart Bypass Surgery f.. 6Heartburn Treatments g..

7Hernia Repair h.. 8Shingles Medications i.. 9Pain Relievers j..

10Prostate Surgery k.. 11Sleeping Pills l.. 12Statins Men WomenChildren

> a.. 1Antidepressants b.. 2Birth Control c.. 3Echinacea d..

4Osteoporosis Treatment e.. 5Gallbladder Surgery f.. 6Hormone

Replacement g.. 7Hysterectomy h.. 8Infertility Medications i..

9Meditation j.. 10Pain Relievers k.. 11Statins l.. 12Sleeping Pills Men

Women Children

> a.. 1Acne Treatment b.. 2Dyslexia Treatment c.. 3Antibiotics d..

4Constipation Treatment e.. 5Asthma Medications f.. 6Cold Treatment g..

7Dehydration Treatment h.. 8Strep Throat Treatment i.. 9Fever Reduction

j.. 10Rash Treatment k.. 11Stomachache Treatment l.. 12Tonsil Removal

>

> Hot Topicsa.. Play the â€˜Rest Your Legsâ€™ Game

> b.. Fighting Cancer: Diet & Energy Tips

> c.. Arthritis Quiz: Check Your Symptoms

> d.. Meningitis Symptoms and Warning Signs

> e.. 18 Questions to Help You Find Dr. Right

> f.. Organ Transplants: How They're Changing Lives

> g.. Steer Clear of These Heartburn Foods

> Women's Heart Check Up Assess your heart health now.

> Take-Out Food Tips

> Take-out doesnâ€™t have to mean the end of a healthy diet. Try

some suggestions on how to trim trouble out of your take-out.

> Drunk Biking

> Drinking and driving can be bad for your health, but what about

getting behind the wheel of your bicycle?

> Fabulous Ab Gadgets

> We compare popular TV gadgets to some basic ab crunches -- all aimed

at getting a tighter tummy. Who wins?

> Fast-Food Survival

> You really can eat healthy in today's fat-filled, fast-food world.

Find out how.

> Smile Makeover

> More and more people are turning to cosmetic dentistry to get that

megawatt grin.

> video library >

>

> Newsletter

>

> Physician Directory

> Locate a specialist near you.

>

> Drug Search

> Search drugs by brand or condition.

> First Aid

> From allergies to sunburn, we can help.

> Symptom Checker

> To check symptoms, start here.

>

> a.. ADHD Symptom Control

> b.. Allergic Asthma Info

> c.. Alzheimerâ€™s Questions?

> a.. Bipolar Disorder Facts

> b.. Cancer Care

> c.. Clearer Skin

> a.. Colorectal Cancer Info

> b.. Get Stronger Bones

> c.. Is it really Depression?

> a.. Joint Stiffness?

> b.. MS Treatment Center

> c.. Overactive Bladder Help

> a.. Skin Care Quiz

> b.. Vision Problems?

> c.. Vital Heart Protection

>

> ADD/ADHD|Allergies|Alzheimer's Disease|Anxiety

Disorder|Cancer|Cholesterol|Cold & Flu|Depression

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