Histoplasmosis; chronic pulmonary

Treatment:

Antifungal medications are prescribed to control the infection within the lung. Ketoconazole by mouth is usually successful. Amphotericin B is usually the first treatment given to immunocompromised patients with acute pulmonary histoplasmosis.

Expectations (prognosis):

The infection usually responds to antifungal medication, but the fibrotic changes within the lung remain. Death can result from breathing problems (respiratory insufficiency). In people with AIDS, the disease can be rapidly fatal.

Complications:

• Histoplasmosis; disseminated
  • spreading of the infection through the blood to other organs - (especially likely in immunosuppressed people or in very young children)
• Respiratory insufficiency

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis develop.

Call your health care provider if symptoms continue despite treatment, or if breathing difficulty or symptoms of disseminated histoplasmosis occur.

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial