In addition to blood, the coughing frequently brings up thick lumps of mucus. Despite the coughing and the spores being able to survive in saliva, aspergillosis is not contagious from person to person. Pulmonary aspergillosis is most likely to develop in people with chronic lung disorders, such as tuberculosis, emphysema, sarcoidosis or even asthma. [3] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Cardiovascular exercise is very difficult with pulmonary aspergillosis, so it’s best to rest until you get rid of the lung infection. Asthma and aspergillosis often co-exist at the same time. The fungal infection makes the asthma much more difficult to manage with medication. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source The chronic coughing and shortness of breath can sometimes cause significant chest pain, similar to severe bronchitis or bacterial pneumonia.
Due to the chronic coughing, breathing difficulty and potential chest pain, many sufferers of aspergillosis have difficulty sleeping at night and become sleep deprived — which also contributes to the fatigue. In addition to people with chronic lung diseases, chemotherapy patients, organ transplant recipients, people with a very low white blood cell count, people taking high doses of glucocorticoids, and AIDS patients are also more susceptible to aspergillosis.
The coughing up of blood, fatigue and wasting away associated with pulmonary aspergillosis really mimics lung cancer, although survival rates are much better with the fungal infection. Most people lose weight in the face and neck area initially, then the waist, buttocks and thighs. Keep a close eye on your scales if you develop a cough that won’t go away.
An allergic reaction triggers the release of histamine, which quickly causes localized inflammation and congestion. People with cystic fibrosis and asthma tend to have more mucus in their airways, which seems to provide a good environment for the mold to grow in and trigger an allergic reaction. [9] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Aspergillosis may also lead to a sinus infection, especially in those with abnormally low levels of white blood cells and those with diabetes mellitus.
Invasive aspergillosis usually develops in people who are already sick from other chronic diseases, so it’s difficult to know which symptoms are caused by which condition. [11] X Research source A severe fever (greater than 103ºF or 39. 4°C) is very rare with aspergillosis — between 99ºF (37. 2°C) and 101ºF (38. 3°C) is more common.
Headaches are caused by mild swelling from the fungal growth. The brain is very sensitive to changes in pressure. Behavioral and mood changes can be triggered by brain swelling, neuron damage/death, reduced neurotransmitter (hormone) production and from any toxins released by the fungi. Symptoms relating to the central nervous symptom are serious and should be addressed by a doctor as soon as possible.
Facial swelling and potential paralysis from aspergillosis can mimic a stroke because it usually just affects one side of the face. Similar to a stroke, fungal damage to one side of the brain affects the opposite side of the face and body. Invasive aspergillosis spreads rapidly and is often fatal, particularly if it gets to the brain or heart, in spite of early treatment. [14] X Trustworthy Source DermNet NZ Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health Go to source
Skin lesions of some sort occur in about 5-10% of patients with invasive aspergillosis. [16] X Research source A skin biopsy (tissue sample) is taken from the lesion before a diagnosis of aspergillosis is made, although many of the above-mentioned symptoms usually occur it spreads to the skin.
If your immune system gets stronger, that’s usually enough to successfully combat aspergillosis if it hasn’t spread into the bloodstream and become systemic and invasive. If the condition progresses, particularly if breathing becomes difficult and significant amounts of blood are coughed up, then corticosteroid and anti-fungal drugs are usually recommended.
Although corticosteroids help prevent allergic reactions and reduce inflammation within the respiratory system, they also suppress the immune system even further, which increases the risk of invasive or system aspergillosis. Other side effects from taking steroids for too long include weight gain, high blood pressure (hypertension) and weakened bones (osteoporosis).
Antifungal drugs aren’t helpful for treating allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, but they can be combined with corticosteroids to improve lung function. If voriconazole isn’t effective or well tolerated, other drugs can be tried, such as itraconazole, lipid amphotericin formulations, caspofungin, micafungin or posaconazole. [20] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source All anti-fungal drugs can lead to serious side effects, including kidney and liver damage, so ask your doctor about the pros and cons of such medications. [21] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Antifungal medications are continued until signs and symptoms of the infection are resolved, and may be continued for longer in patients with apparent immune problems.
