A fungus is a type of microorganism that can infiltrate the lungs and create severe respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing, a fever and a cough. Sometimes, individuals are more susceptible to fungal lung infections if they live in a certain area of the country or have a weakened immune system in which the body can no longer fight off fungi and bacteria. A few types of fungal lung diseases exist.
Histoplasmosis
According to the Mayo Clinic, histoplasmosis is a fungal lung condition in which inhalation of certain spores called Histoplasmosis capsulatum is to blame. These spores invade the lungs and alveoli (small air sacs) and can actually move into the lymph vessels. The lymph vessels typically carry white blood cells (fight off infection) throughout the body. When these spores enter the lymph vessels, they can spread to the rest of the body and create a wide variety of symptoms.
The Mayo Clinic says that there are three types of histoplasmosis: acute, chronic and disseminated. Manifestations of acute histoplasmosis include a fever, headache, muscle aches, chills and a dry cough. Symptoms of chronic histoplasmosis include night sweats, shortness of breath, weight loss and coughing up of blood (hemoptysis). Chronic histoplasmosis typically affects people who already have a chronic disease such as emphysema. Disseminated histoplasmosis affects infants and people with a weakened immune system. Its manifestations include an enlarged spleen or liver; pneumonia; mouth, tongue or intestinal ulcers; and a fever. Sometimes, histoplasmosis may cause no symptoms at all.
The Mayo Clinic says that antibiotics such as amphotericin B, itraconazole, fluconazole or corticosteroids may be used to treat symptoms of histoplasmosis.
Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis is another type of fungal lung disease. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the spores Coccidioides immitis can infiltrate your lungs. Like histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis can be acute, chronic or disseminated. Acute coccidioidomycosis typically presents with little to no manifestations and can resolve without formal treatment. Chronic coccidioidomycosis can occur even after 20 years of initial infection, the NIH says. Lung abscesses (pus-filled cysts or swellings) can form and burst. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis occurs when the fungus spreads to other parts of the body such as the liver, bone, brain and spinal cord.
The NIH says that other symptoms include a fever, bloody sputum, headaches, wheezing, a cough and mental status changes.
Ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B are antibiotics used to manage severe coccidioidomycosis.
Blastomycosis
The Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus causes blastomycosis. This disease is typically found in people who live in the Midwest or south-central part of the United States. Blastomycosis manifestations include a fever, cough, joint stiffness, muscle stiffness, trouble breathing, sweating and weight loss.
Fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and amphotericin B treat severe blastomycosis, the NIH says.
