B39: Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a group of infectious diseases caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. These diseases primarily affect the respiratory system, but they can spread to other parts of the body. They occur when a person breathes in microscopic fungal spores from the environment, often from areas with bird or bat droppings. Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, and chest pain, but many people have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, it's usually within three to 17 days after exposure. The severity of the disease can range from mild, resembling a common cold or flu, to serious, causing complications like chronic lung disease or widespread infection. Disease progression varies widely depending on the individual's immune system status, with some people recovering naturally and others developing persistent or life-threatening symptoms.