Living with Aspergillosis
An infection, fungus growth, or allergic reaction caused by the Aspergillus fungus, mostly affecting the lungs.
Understanding Aspergillosis
There are several kinds. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) causes asthma-like wheezing and coughing without invading tissue. Invasive aspergillosis usually affects people with weakened immune systems, and most often the lungs. An aspergilloma is a fungus ball that grows in an area of earlier lung disease. It can affect people at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Cough
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Abnormal sputum (phlegm)
- Wheezing (with the allergic type)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with American Lung Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the Aspergillus fungus causes aspergillosis. Invasive disease usually affects people with weakened immune systems, and fungus balls develop in areas of earlier lung disease.
Also known as: infection due to aspergillus
Patient organizations
- American Lung AssociationAspergillosis · United States
- MYCology Advocacy, Research, & Education (MYCARE)Aspergillosis · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Aspergillosis.
Explore research for Aspergillosis
Explore actively recruiting Aspergillosis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Aspergillosis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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