Aspergillosis is an infection caused by Aspergillus, a common mold (a type of fungus) that lives indoors and outdoors. Most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick. However, people with weakened immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to Aspergillus. The types of health problems caused by Aspergillus include allergic reactions, lung infections, and infections in other organs.
Symptoms
The symptoms of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) are similar to asthma symptoms, including:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Fever (in rare cases)
Symptoms of allergic Aspergillus sinusitis include:
- Stuffiness
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Reduced ability to smell
Symptoms of an aspergilloma (“fungus ball”) include:
- Cough
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis include:
- Weight loss
- Cough
- Coughing up blood
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
Fever is a common symptom of invasive aspergillosis
Invasive aspergillosis usually occurs in people who are already sick from other medical conditions, so it can be difficult to know which symptoms are related to an Aspergillus infection. However, the symptoms of invasive aspergillosis in the lungs include:
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Other symptoms can develop if the infection spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms that you think are related to any form of aspergillosis.
Thank you for CDC providing this information.
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention