Living with Nocardiosis
A rare bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs, brain, and skin, most often in people with weakened immune systems.
Understanding Nocardiosis
It occurs mostly in people with a weakened immune system, but about one-third of infected people have no immune problems. It usually starts in the lungs and can spread to other organs. Lung symptoms include chest pain, coughing up blood, and fevers. It can also cause headaches and seizures, skin infections, ulcers, and abscesses.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Wet cough (productive cough)
- Trouble breathing (dyspnea)
- Pneumonia
- Fatigue
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 rare disease patient organizations for support
- 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
Nocardia bacteria, found in soil around the world, cause this infection. People get it by breathing in contaminated dust or when soil with the bacteria gets into an open wound.
Also known as: nocardia caused disease or disorder; nocardia disease or disorder; nocardia infections; nocardia infectious disease
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Nocardiosis.
Explore research for Nocardiosis
Explore actively recruiting Nocardiosis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Nocardiosis 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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