Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is the condition caused by mold/fungus infection. This fungus mainly affect the respiratory system of the body. This fungus can be found anywhere inside or outside the houses. It can trigger serious infection in people having underlying illness.
Symptoms
Clinical picture varies with the type of reaction.
- Allergic reaction: also known as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, develops in a person allergic to aspergillous and presents as fever, productive cough sometimes with blood and asthma worsening.
- Aspergilloma: Aspergilloma refers to the tangled balls of fiber that grown in theth lung cavities present in the person having chronic conditions like emphysema, tuberculosis and advance sarcoidosis. This condition presents as hemoptysis, wheezing, troubled breathing, unintended weight loss, weakness and fatigue.
- Invasive aspergillosis: In this condition aspergillosis spreads from lungs to other parts like brain, heart, kidney and skin. It is the most severe form of aspergillosis. This condition presents as fever along with chills, blood in mucus, headache and eye symptoms, problematic breathing, joint and chest pain, lesions on skin.
Causes
Exposure of aspergillus outdoor is unavoidable as it is present in decaying leaves, plants and grain crops. This condition usually occurs when a person of weakened immunity inhaled it’s spores and can’t able to contain it. As a result the fibers get impacted in the lungs and causing symptoms.
Complications
Depending upon the type of condition following complications can occur:
- Bleeding tendencies
- Systematic infection
Diagnosis
Diagnosis require complete general physical examination along with following investigations and tests:
- Chest X-ray and CT scan
- Sputum test
- Tissue test
- Blood test
- Biopsy
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Observation of the condition.
- Oral corticosteroids
- Antifungal medication
- Surgery in case of aspergilloma