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Fungal infections do not only affect the feet, nails and intimate parts, but also the lungs. Fungi spores get there, for example, as a result of the weakened immunity of the body. Find out what are the symptoms of fungal infection of the lungs, who is most often ill with it and what is the treatment. Find out which medications can increase your risk of fungus in your lungs.
What is mycosis of the lungs?
Ringworm (fungal pneumonia) is an infection caused by fungal spores in water, air and soil. Germs enter the body through the respiratory system, skin and digestive system. It is usually afflicted by adults with lowered immunity. It is an opportunistic infection, so it does not affect children with normal immunity.
Fungal pneumonia is a disease that should not be self-diagnosed – you will need to see your doctor for a referral. Chest X-ray (X-ray) or computed tomography should be performed in people suspected of having fungal pneumonia. Sometimes it is also necessary to have a blood test – it will allow you to confirm or rule out whether a person has had a fungal infection.
See also: Pulmonology – what does it do?
Who is most often affected by mycosis of the lungs?
People who are taking medications that suppress the activity of the immune system are the most susceptible to getting sick. This group also includes people suffering from AIDS and HIV infection, asthmatics, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and people with rheumatic diseases. Lung mycosis also affects patients after oncological treatment, acute and chronic leukemia.
People over 65 and children whose immune system is not yet fully developed are at risk. Nevertheless, healthy people also suffer from mycosis – the cause may even be a temporary weakening of immunity, e.g. due to antibiotic therapy. People after chemotherapy and radiotherapy, people after therapy with steroid drugs, drug addicts and alcoholics also suffer from it.
What are the symptoms of mycosis of the lungs?
Symptoms of mycosis of the lungs are similar to those of the flu. However, they depend on the type of fungus that causes the disease. The most common symptom, also in children, is haemoptysis – and in some cases it is also a cause of death. Allergic pulmonary mycosis is manifested by coughing – it is wet and accompanied by brown mucus. In addition, the infected person begins to lose weight and develops a fever.
Lung fungus (its invasive form) is manifested by fever, coughing, chills and headache – symptoms that, at first glance, may indicate flu. As the disease progresses, the patient develops hematuria, shortness of breath, and pleural pain. Abscesses may appear in the patient’s lungs. Fungal lesions sometimes cover the entire lobe of the lung – then the sick person may look like a person infected with miliary tuberculosis.
we recommend: Lungs – anatomical structure, the most common diseases and functions in the body [EXPLAINED]
What is the treatment of pulmonary mycosis?
Lung mycosis is a disease that requires immediate treatment. For this purpose, it is used, inter alia, antifungal drugs, which in many cases remove the fungus from the lungs. However, when the disease is at a higher stage, then surgical treatment is necessary – the mycotic lesion is excised along with the lung tissue surrounding it.
Surgical treatment is not recommended, among others in elderly patients, with respiratory problems and in people with fungal infections in both lungs. In their case, topical treatment with nystatin paste is recommended. To introduce it, you need to puncture the chest – the paste introduced in this way will clot and remove the infection.
The goal of lung mycosis treatment is to remove the sources of infection, such as drains and catheters – sometimes pharmacotherapy is necessary. Surgical treatment is required in patients with aspergilloma. Untreated mycosis of the lungs can lead to death, especially in immunocompromised patients or to an increase in infection.
Also read: Lung X-ray – how to interpret the results?
Which drugs may increase the risk of fungus in the lungs?
The development of fungus in the lungs increases the intake of inhaled steroid drugs. Scientists working at the University of Manchester have found that asthmatics taking these preparations become more likely to develop fungal infections in the lungs – some of the respondents could be infected with the Aspergillus mold fungus more easily due to the medications used.
Aspergillus mold occurs in damp places. Asthmatics infected with aspergillus have even more breathing problems, coughing and headaches – 35-40% of people with severe asthma are probably infected with aspergillus. The disease is usually caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Sometimes it is also caused by other varieties of the fungus, such as Aspergillus clavatus or Aspergillus nidulans.
Inhaling steroid hormones (corticosteroids) may also be the cause of a fungal infection in the lungs. In one study involving both asthmatics and healthy people, it was found that corticosteroids given to patients contributed to an increase in the level of infection in the lungs. For this reason, it is known why asthmatics have more breathing problems during steroid therapy.
Find out what is aspergillosis