What is histoplasmosis? and how does one get it?

Answer 1

Histoplasmosis is a fungus infection that affects the lungs and may occasionally invade other parts of the body. It is an uncommon disease.
The disease is acquired by inhaling the spore stage of the fungus. Outbreaks may occur in groups with common exposures to bird or bat droppings or recently disturbed, contaminated soil found in chicken coops, caves, etc. Person to person spread of histoplasmosis does not occur.

Answer 2

Histoplasmosis is actually a fungal infection caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. It primarily affects the lungs, though other organs can be involved as well.

H. capsulatum grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Spores become airborne when contaminated soil is disturbed. Breathing the spores causes infection. The disease is not transmitted from an infected person to someone else. H. capsulatum is found throughout the world and is endemic in certain areas of the United States. The fungus has been found in poultry house litter, caves, areas harboring bats, and in bird roosts. (1)

Antifungal medications are used to treat severe cases of acute histoplasmosis and all cases of chronic and disseminated disease. Mild disease usually resolves without treatment. Past infection results in partial protection against ill effects if reinfected.

Pat O'Connor
Lymphedema People
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com

Answer 3

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/histoplasmosis/index.asp

here is the latest on histoplasmosis, which is a fungal disease.

Answer 4

See wikipedia. Its a disease primarily affecting the lungs and is present in the soil in some areas and bird and bat droppings.