Blastomycosis

In News

• At least one person died and around a 100 were confirmed or suspected to be infected of blastomycosis in the US. 

Blastomycosis

• About: 
  • It is an infection caused by a fungus called Blastomyces. The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in moist soil and in decomposing matter such as wood and leaves. 
• Transmission: 
  • People can get blastomycosis after breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air. 
  • Blastomycosis doesn’t spread between people or between people and animals through the air. In extremely rare cases, blastomycosis has been spread between infected people or animals through needlestick injuries, bites, or sexual contact.
• Symptoms:
  • Fever, Cough, Night sweats, Muscle aches or joint pain.
• Prevention:
  • No vaccine to prevent blastomycosis.
  • Itraconazole is a type of antifungal medication that is typically used to treat mild to moderate blastomycosis.

Source: DTE