Symptoms of Aspergillosis
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:15 pm
Aspergillosis is a group of conditions caused by breathing in Aspergillus, a type of mold. Most people who breathe in Aspergillus mold do not get sick, but aspergillosis can develop in people with an existing lung condition or a weakened immune system.
There are several different types of aspergillosis, each with its own set of symptoms. The most common types are:
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA): This is an allergic reaction to Aspergillus mold, usually in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA):
This is a long-term (chronic) infection in the lungs.
Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weight loss.
Invasive aspergillosis:
This is the most serious form of aspergillosis. It occurs when the infection spreads rapidly from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the brain, heart, kidneys, or skin. Symptoms include coughing up blood, fever, chills, headaches, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Other types of aspergillosis include:
Aspergilloma:
This is a mass of fungus that grows in a pre-existing cavity in the lungs.
Symptoms include coughing up blood and shortness of breath.
Sinus aspergillosis: This is an infection of the sinuses.
Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, and facial pain.
Skin aspergillosis:
This is an infection of the skin. Symptoms include red, hardened patches of skin.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the infection from spreading and causing serious complications.
There are several different types of aspergillosis, each with its own set of symptoms. The most common types are:
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA): This is an allergic reaction to Aspergillus mold, usually in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA):
This is a long-term (chronic) infection in the lungs.
Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weight loss.
Invasive aspergillosis:
This is the most serious form of aspergillosis. It occurs when the infection spreads rapidly from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the brain, heart, kidneys, or skin. Symptoms include coughing up blood, fever, chills, headaches, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Other types of aspergillosis include:
Aspergilloma:
This is a mass of fungus that grows in a pre-existing cavity in the lungs.
Symptoms include coughing up blood and shortness of breath.
Sinus aspergillosis: This is an infection of the sinuses.
Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, and facial pain.
Skin aspergillosis:
This is an infection of the skin. Symptoms include red, hardened patches of skin.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the infection from spreading and causing serious complications.