BLASTOMYCOSIS

Blastomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. The fungus is found in decaying wood and soil.

ALTERNATIVE NAMES: - North American blastomycosis; Gilchrist disease

CAUSES: -

One can get blastomycosis by contact with moist soil, most commonly where there is rotting wood and leaves. The fungus enters the body through the lungs, where the infection starts. The fungus can then spread to other parts of the body. The disease may affect the skin, bones and joints, and other areas.

Blastomycosis is rare. It is found in the central and southeastern United States, and in Canada, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Africa.

The key risk factor for the disease is contact with infected soil. It most often affects people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or who have had an organ transplant, but it can also infect healthy people. Men are more likely to be affected than women.

SYMPTOMS: -

Lung infection may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms may be seen if the infection spreads. Symptoms may include:

• Joint pain
• Chest pain
• Cough (may produce brown or bloody mucus)
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
• Muscle pain
• Unintentional weight loss

Most people develop skin symptoms when the infection spreads. One may get papules, pustules, or nodules on exposed body areas.

The pustules:

• May look like warts or ulcers
• Are usually painless
• Vary in color from gray to violet
• May appear in the nose and mouth
• Bleed easily and form ulcer.

EXAMS AND TESTS: -

The health care provider will perform a physical examination. You'll be asked about your medical history and symptoms.

If the provider suspects have a fungal infection, diagnosis can be confirmed by these tests:

• Chest CT scan
• Chest x-ray
• Skin biopsy
• Sputum culture and examination
• Urinary antigen detection
• Tissue biopsy and culture
• Urine cultures.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT: -

The Homeopathic medicines that can be thought of use are:-

• Mezereum
• Graphites
• Thuja
• Sepia