Where is histoplasmosis found in the US?

In the United States, Histoplasma mainly lives in soil in the central and eastern states, particularly areas around the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys,¹ but it can likely live in other parts of the country as well. The fungus also lives in parts of Central and South America,³ Africa,⁴ Asia,⁵ and Australia.

Which area of the US has the highest prevalence of histoplasmosis?

One study calculated the incidence of histoplasmosis in adults aged 65 years and older in the U.S. to be 3.4 cases per 100,000 population. Rates were highest in the Midwest, with an estimated 6.1 cases per 100,000 population.

How common is histoplasmosis in the United States?

Histoplasmosis is the most common endemic fungal infection in North America that affects the lungs. Each year, up to 250,000 people in the U.S. are found to have histoplasmosis.

Where is Histoplasma common?

In the United States, Histoplasma mainly lives in the central and eastern states, especially areas around the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. The fungus also lives in parts of Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Where in the United States are fungal infections common?

Fungi that can cause infections are more common in some parts of the United States and world. For example, in the United States, the fungus that causes Valley fever is found mainly in the Southwest and parts of the Pacific Northwest. Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis occur most often in the eastern United States.

Histoplasmosis: the Mississippi Valley Disease 1956 US Public Health Service

Which are high risk populations for histoplasmosis?

Is histoplasmosis common in Texas?

Histoplasmosis can survive in almost any environment but thrives in warm, humid, moist areas, so it is common in the state of Texas. It has been reported on every continent except Antarctica, but it is most prevalent in the Americas, India and southeastern Asia. In the U.S., 31 states have reported the fungus.

Is histoplasmosis in California?

Abstract. Three cases of histoplasmosis, a disease seldom reported in California, were diagnosed clinically by the authors in San Diego County. It is probable that there is a higher incidence of this disease in California than is at present recognized.

Is histoplasmosis common in Ohio?

Histoplasmosis is something that most people living in the Ohio River Valley (aka the”Histo-Belt”) have probably heard about. If not and you live the Ohio or Mississippi River Valleys, the CDC estimates there is up to a 90% chance that you have been exposed.

Is histoplasmosis related to COVID-19?

These cases suggest that COVID-19 may facilitate the development of acute pulmonary histoplasmosis and, therefore, clinicians must be aware of this differential diagnosis in patients from endemic areas with fever and coughing after recovery from COVID-19.

How can you protect yourself from histoplasmosis?

Does histoplasmosis ever go away?

For most people, the symptoms of histoplasmosis will go away within a few weeks to a month. However, some people have symptoms that last longer than this, especially if the infection becomes severe.

What states have valley fever?

Valley fever is caused by a person inhaling spores of certain fungi. The fungi that cause valley fever — Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii — live in the soil in parts of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, California, Texas and Washington. It's named after the San Joaquin Valley in California.

What does a histoplasmosis rash look like?

Pustules or nodules all over the body. Red spots on the skin (erythema nodosum) Red lumps on the skin (erythema multiforme), usually on the lower legs.

Can histoplasmosis be dormant?

Like tuberculosis, Histoplasma infects healthy hosts, attacks their lungs, and can lie dormant in immune cells for years, later causing reactivation disease," said Chad Rappleye, PhD, a microbiologist in the Center for Microbial Interface Biology at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center and in the Department of Microbial ...

How common is histoplasmosis in dogs?

However, histoplasmosis is uncommon to rare in all but dogs and cats. The fungus thrives in warm moist environments and is commonly found in soil that contains bird or bat feces.

What is Ohio Valley Fever?

Histoplasmosis (Ohio valley fever) is an infection caused by a fungus. The lung infection is usually mild, but it can be more severe in people with weak immune systems. Such people include those with HIV infection or cancer and those taking immunosuppressive drugs or steroids.

How do you know if you have histoplasmosis?

In most cases, histoplasmosis causes mild flu-like symptoms that appear between 3 and 17 days after exposure to the fungus. These symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough and chest discomfort. In these milder forms, most symptoms go away on their own in a few weeks.

Does histoplasmosis cause lung scarring?

Some people get better without treatment. An active infection will usually go away with antifungal medicine. But, the infection may leave scarring inside the lung. The death rate is higher for people with untreated disseminated histoplasmosis who have a weakened immune system.

Is histoplasmosis common in Iowa?

Histoplasmosis is a relatively rare disease. Risk of exposure can be minimized by taking the following precautions: Spray soil with water or oil to reduce dust before working. Anyone cleaning up sites that could be contaminated should wear masks or respirators.

Is histoplasmosis a mold?

Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus (or mold) called Histoplasma. The fungus is common in the eastern and central United States. It grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings. You get infected by breathing the fungal spores.

In what part of the United States is blastomycosis endemic?

In the United States, the fungus mainly lives in the midwestern, south-central, and southeastern states, particularly in areas surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, the Great Lakes, and the Saint Lawrence River.

How do indoor cats get histoplasmosis?

Cats are infected by inhaling, or less commonly ingesting, infectious spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, found in soil contaminated with bat and bird feces. Though outdoor cats are more likely to encounter this type of contaminated soil, histoplasmosis is found in both indoor and outdoor cats.

Who usually gets histoplasmosis?

Anyone can get histoplasmosis. It is recognized more often in immunocompromised individuals, such as in people with HIV or AIDS. Birds (especially chickens), bats, dogs, cats, rats, skunks, opossum, foxes and other animals can get histoplasmosis and may play a role in spreading the disease.

Can you get histoplasmosis from pet birds?

Who is at risk: Anyone can get histoplasmosis, but those most at risk for serious infection include adults over 65 years old, infants, and people with weakened immune systems. Signs in birds: Birds do not get sick from histoplasmosis. Symptoms in people: Most people don't get sick from histoplasmosis.