Histoplasmosis; acute (primary) pulmonary

Treatment:

Treatment for acute pulmonary histoplasmosis is usually not necessary. Amphotericin B, an antifungal medication, may be given for severe cases. Treatment with Amphotericin B is given for 2 weeks to children under 2 years old because they are at risk for developing disseminated histoplasmosis.

Expectations (prognosis):

When severe and progressive, the illness may last for 1 to 6 months but is rarely fatal.

Complications:

Histoplasmosis can spread to other organs through the bloodstream (dissemination). This is usually seen in infants, young children, and immunosuppressed patients.

Acute histoplasmosis can progressively worsen or can become chronic histoplasmosis.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of histoplasmosis occur (to rule out other causes of the symptoms), or if new symptoms develop.