How to Prevent Fungal Lung Infections

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection in the lungs that is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. A type of fungi that are commonly found in dusts or soil filled with bird or bat droppings. When these organisms multiply, it produces spores called conidia. These spores are so small that when inhaled, they can easily enter the lungs, and cause infection. The symptoms of the infection appears with in 3 to 17 days of exposure (but most commonly seen in 10 days) and are characterized by extreme fatigue, fever, chills, chest pain and dry cough. To protect yourself against this type of lung infection, apply the following safety measures.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

How to Prevent Fungal Lung Infections

1. Take multivitamins daily (vitamins A, C, E, and B-complex) to boost your immune system.
2. Avoid exposure on possibly contaminated areas such as poultry, farms and bat caves.
3. People with occupations involving soil, birds, or dusts, should practice safety precautions. Wear protective clothing, gloves and dust masks to avoid contact or inhalation of these infectious organisms.
4. When planning to clean dusty barns, chicken coop, or any given areas that are likely contaminated by H. capsulatum, spray or mist the soil with water first – to reduce spreading of dust in the surroundings.
5. For major cleaning operations that require long exposures, like cleaning old buildings for example, respirators that purify air should be provided for protection.
6. If you consider working in areas with possible risk of Histoplasma capsulatum exposure, check the site of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) first, before doing so. It contains information about work practices and also provides protective measures to help reduce the risk of histoplasmosis or fungal lung infection.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if Histoplasmosis is a treatable lung infection, it can also affect other parts of the body (disseminated histoplasmosis), which can possibly lead to some serious problems. So be cautious enough to consult your doctor to avoid further complications.