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What Causes Histoplasmosis While Suffering From Pneumonia?
Question: Hello. I had pneumonia in September and after a recheck of the chest by xray in October they said the lung looked worse. I had an MRI and went to a pulmonologist who said I had two spots on my right lung and he said they were histoplasmosis. I have been on inhalers- one daily and one rescue, and prednisone off and on since the diagnosis because my chest is congested a lot. My question is: Is it common or normal with this medical history, to still have a fairly often, very productive cough? It is quite aggravating to deal with but mostly, I am nervous because it does not ever go away.
Brief Answer:
Pneumonia is severe lung infection,but need to determine cause first...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I am sorry for the current health problems you are going through.
As I was reviewing your case, I want to clarify a few things there:
- histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that is most prevalent in people with weaken immune system
- usually it gives mild symptoms, and does not require treatment
- pneumonia is rarely associated with histoplasmosis, while treatment consists in anti-fungal agents with systemic action
Pneumonia is a severe infection of the lungs. It requires time to fully recover. It is often associated with acute episodes with productive cough even in case of attack from virus of upper respiratory tract.
This means that you should keep using:
- mucolytics to dissolve the phlegm
- anti-histaminic to ease the inflammation and spasms
- steroids are potent anti-inflammatory meds that can be used only in short periods and if the attacks are very severe
- antibiotics can be used only in cases of bacterial co-infection. Otherwise, it won't affect histoplasmosis
- keep good throat hygiene with throat anti-septics
- aerosol-therapy can help
- applying vapu-rup balm on the chest and back can also ease the cough attacks especially at night
So, in other words, in your case we should rule out bacterial co-infection first, treat the symptoms and if systemic histoplasmosis suspected, should start anti-fungal treatment.
Hope this helps.
Dr.Albana
Pneumonia is severe lung infection,but need to determine cause first...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I am sorry for the current health problems you are going through.
As I was reviewing your case, I want to clarify a few things there:
- histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that is most prevalent in people with weaken immune system
- usually it gives mild symptoms, and does not require treatment
- pneumonia is rarely associated with histoplasmosis, while treatment consists in anti-fungal agents with systemic action
Pneumonia is a severe infection of the lungs. It requires time to fully recover. It is often associated with acute episodes with productive cough even in case of attack from virus of upper respiratory tract.
This means that you should keep using:
- mucolytics to dissolve the phlegm
- anti-histaminic to ease the inflammation and spasms
- steroids are potent anti-inflammatory meds that can be used only in short periods and if the attacks are very severe
- antibiotics can be used only in cases of bacterial co-infection. Otherwise, it won't affect histoplasmosis
- keep good throat hygiene with throat anti-septics
- aerosol-therapy can help
- applying vapu-rup balm on the chest and back can also ease the cough attacks especially at night
So, in other words, in your case we should rule out bacterial co-infection first, treat the symptoms and if systemic histoplasmosis suspected, should start anti-fungal treatment.
Hope this helps.
Dr.Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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