Bat Guano-The Cause of Histoplasmosis

Many people around the world are suffering from a fungal disease called Histoplasmosis. It is prevalent in certain areas of the United States and frequent in caves of South and East Africa. This microscopic fungus is fatal to humans if not treated accordingly.

What is Histoplasmosis?

Histoplasmosis is a non-contagious disease caused by Histoplasma Capsulatum fungus. This disease is also known as “cave disease”, “Ohio Valley disease”, and “Darling’s disease”. It can be caught by breathing the spores of the fungus that develops in soil and materials that are contaminated with bird or bat guano. Histoplasmosis can affect a wide range of the population who is not aware about the risk of this ailment.

How can someone be infected?

All people or even your pets can be infected by Histoplasmosis. The fungus that survives in the droppings or the contaminated soil contains the spores. The real problem begins when you try to clean the droppings in the attic, in the garden, in the rooftops or in places where droppings is present thus making the spores airborne. Cave explorers are highly susceptible to this disease, too. People with a weaker immune system must be very conscious about this, since they can be easily affected by this kind of disease.

What are the types and symptoms of histoplasmosis?

Mainly, the fungus affects the lungs. When it infects multiple organs it is called disseminated histoplasmosis. After 4-16 days of exposure, symptoms may start to appear, the average is 11-13 days. In other cases, some infected individuals have clinically indistinguishable symptoms and show no evident ill effects. Another type is called the asymptomatic primary histoplasmosis, even healthy people may not be aware that they have already acquired the disease. The only indication is the scar in the lungs. Acute symptomatic pulmonary histoplasmosis happens when you breathe a numerous number of the fungus. This type is highly life-threatening if not treated. Usual symptoms take in: muscle aches, dry cough, fever, chest pains, chills, abnormal sweating, shortness of breath, and impaired vision. Another type is chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis. This type of histoplasmosis usually affects people with occurring lung disease, like emphysema. The disease is continual and if not treated may move to more serious lung problems. Signs and symptoms are: night sweats, fever, cough that has blood, shortness of breath, and weight loss. Disseminated histoplasmosis occurs primarily in infants and people with weak immune systems, it can affect almost any part of the body, including your liver, eyes, bone marrow, central nervous system, skin, adrenal glands and intestinal tract. Uncured disseminated histoplasmosis is typically critical. Depending on which organs are affected, people with this type of the disease may build up: pneumonia, enlarged liver and spleen, fever, cough, inflammation of the thin membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), ulcers of the mouth, tongue or intestinal tract, and poorly functioning adrenal glands (adrenal insufficiency).

How is it diagnosed?

If you suspect that you have been exposed, do not waste time contact a health professional immediately. Histoplasmosis can be diagnosed by samples containing the fungus taken from sputum, blood, or infected organs. It can also be diagnosed by a test for antibodies against Histoplasma in the blood. One of the ways to indicate whether a person has been exposed to this kind of fungus is through Histoplasma skin tests.

What are the ways to prevent this?

·         When you are cleaning an old attic or building, keep away from areas that may disturb the fungus, especially if there are accumulations of bird or bat droppings. You can spray water from it to minimize it from getting airborne.

·         When you see bats and birds nesting at your place, remove them. The best thing to do regarding bats nest is to hire professionals specializing on removing these bats because they have the proper ways to control the spores and the right clothing and equipment to avoid it from inhaling.