Histoplasmosis in Illinois

• Asymptomatic or Mild: Many people experience no symptoms or mild, flu-like illness (fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough, fatigue).
• Acute Pulmonary: Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough, chest pain, fatigue. Symptoms usually appear 3-17 days after exposure.
• Chronic Pulmonary: Can mimic tuberculosis, causing persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
• Disseminated (Severe): Affects immunocompromised individuals, causing weight loss, skin lesions, ulcers, enlargement of the liver and spleen, adrenal insufficiency, and potentially meningitis.

Histoplasmosis is acquired by inhaling microscopic spores of the fungus *Histoplasma capsulatum*. These spores become airborne when soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings is disturbed. The disease is not transmitted from person-to-person, from animals to humans, or through direct contact with contaminated soil.", } ```

• Avoid disturbing soil heavily contaminated with bird or bat droppings, especially in endemic areas (e.g., old barns, chicken coops, caves).
• Wear an N95 respirator mask, gloves, and protective clothing when working in high-risk environments or disturbing contaminated soil.
• Dampen soil or dusty areas with water before beginning work to minimize airborne dust and spores.
• There is currently no vaccine available for Histoplasmosis.