Dr. Wojo. Healthy Living. Simplified.

Blastomycosis - a fungal lung infection - can be difficult to diagnose. Some people experience no symptoms, others experience symptoms similar to a cold, the flu or pneumonia, while others may suffer from skin lesions. Also, it generally takes one to three months after exposure to the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus for symptoms to appear. Further, while the fungus that causes Blastomycosis is most often found in moist, wooded areas with sandy soils or near bodies of water, people who garden and farm are often exposed to it as well. Anything that disturbs the soil or woods can release the fungal spores. Because it takes so long for symptoms to appear, it is difficult to determine the source of the exposure.

Most cases of Blastomycosis are found in the south-central and midwestern United States and Canada. While Blastomycosis is rate, in some cases it can lead to more serious lung and skin infections that become more difficult to cure if the infection is left untreated. Symptoms vary greatly depending on what organ systems become infected. Symptoms may include:

• Cough
• Chest pain
• Excessive fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Fever and sweating
• Joint stiffness and pain
• Muscle stiffness and pain
• Weight loss
• Skin lesions or rash that blister and ooze pus

Blastomycosis can be spread by direct contact with a rash or skin lesions caused by the infection.

In most cases, treatment with antifungals is effective in treating the infection. However, in some cases, the bladder, kidney, prostate and testes may be affected. If the infection is serious enough, a person may suffer scarring of the lungs, may become more susceptible to lung infection or be left with scars on the skin.

Those who are most at risk are people with weakened immune systems, those who have had an organ transplant and men.

If you do experience symptoms similar to those above, visit your physician. Chest x-rays, skin biopsies, sputum cultures or tissue biopsies will help your physician determine if you are indeed infected with Blastymycosis.