Histoplasmosis – an infectious disease
The term Histoplasmosis means an infectious disease which is caused by the fungus Histoplasma Capsulatum. The fungus builds up in soil or sand of chicken coops or caves as soil of such place is generally contaminated with bird or bat droppings and these droppings have high nitrogen content offering an environment to grow. The spores of the fungus become airborne when such contaminated soil is disturbed and any person who inhale these spores get inflicted with this fungal disease. It is not contagious and therefore, does not carry a risk of travelling from one person to other. The disease directly affects or attacks lungs of human being.
People prone to Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is found throughout the world especially in eastern and central part of the world. It is found in people of all age groups and gender either he is infant, teenager or adult, but it is people with smoking habits, suffering from any lung disease, or having weak immunity are most prone or common target of the disease. People working in chicken coops or poultry farms are also common target of the disease. Histoplasmosis is dangerous disease which enters the body through lungs and cause fatal effects if not treated at early stage.
Symptoms of Histoplasmosis
Symptoms of Histoplasmosis vary from patient to patient as it largely depends upon the type of infection a person is suffering from. In the initial stages these symptoms are not detected easily as it causes very mild effect on the infected person, but slowly and gradually one can determine its effects in the body. Most of the time people are not even aware of the fact that they are suffering from this disease. People inflicted by the disease have common lung complaints like pneumonia, which is often developed when the infection becomes acute. Some of the people with such a disease are also found with symptoms like swelling, irritation etc on their skin, bones, joints etc. Therefore, if a person observe any symptom or change in his body or lungs then should immediately go to the doctor without any delay so that he could be properly examined and can get rid off the disease at initial stage.
Prevention is better than cure
‘Prevention is better than cure’ is a hackneyed phrase, but it holds relevance till now. One should always try to save himself from Histoplasmosis as it is not easily detectable and the worsen stage could also cause death. Therefore in order to prevent such infectious disease a person should be very careful and cautious in dealing with place contaminated with bat or bird droppings. One should sprinkle water before working or disturbing the soil of such a place. Wearing masks can also be one of the effective ways of avoiding the disease as it would prohibit the spores from entering into the human body. Though these steps are not exhaustive means to protect oneself from the disease but can aid in preventing it. If any person is inflicted by the disease then first and foremost he should undergo a skin test as it is the first place where its symptoms reflects and becomes evident.
