Living with Histoplasmosis
A rare fungal infection that mainly affects the lungs after breathing in spores, from mild flu-like illness to serious disease.
Understanding Histoplasmosis
It starts after a person breathes in spores of a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. How serious it is depends on the person's immune system and how many spores they breathe in. In people with healthy immune systems, it is usually mild or without symptoms. In people with weakened immune systems, it can spread to several organs.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD's summary describes:
- Mild, flu-like illness
- No symptoms in some people
- Fever
- Pneumonia
- Enlarged liver and spleen
- Skin changes
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
- 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
It is caused by breathing in spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.
Also known as: darling disease; histoplasma caused disease or disorder; histoplasma disease or disorder; histoplasma infectious disease
Patient organizations
- American Lung AssociationHistoplasmosis · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Histoplasmosis.
Explore research for Histoplasmosis
Explore actively recruiting Histoplasmosis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Histoplasmosis 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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