Aspergillus Mold Causes Aspergillosis Allergic Bronchopulmonary, Invasive Pulmonary, Aspergilloma

Aspergillosis is an allergic reaction, invasive infection or growth caused by aspergillus fungus. Inhaling certain species of this fungi’s mold spores can lead to dire consequences, particularly by those with weak immune systems.

Aspergillus plays a role in breaking down organic matter.  For this reason, the mold is very difficult to duck because it’s pervasive in most environments. Consequently, it can be hanging around on or in:

  • soil
  • plants
  • spices
  • compost
  • tap water
  • carpeting
  • house dust
  • dead leaves
  • household dust
  • some food items
  • building materials
  • air conditioning ducts
  • decaying plant matter
  • contaminated air filters

Virtually impossible to avoid, yet healthy immune systems can usually handle inhaled aspergillus mold spores without a hitch.   Your immune cells simply surrounds and destroys them.

There are more than 150 different species of aspergillus.  Most are harmless, but a few can cause serious outcomes in those with:

Aspergillosis takes on different health intruding forms, thus symptoms experienced will vary accordingly.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is an allergic reaction to aspergillus, developing in those with pre-existing lung problems, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis.  This type of aspergillosis does not invade nor destroy tissue.

Symptoms of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis include:

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is treated with immunosuppressive drugs, often prednisone.  You will usually recover gradually with treatment.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is the most severe form of the disease by aspergillus inescapable mold spores. Almost exclusively affecting those with weakened immune systems, this infection spreads rapidly.  It comes with a high risk of invading and damaging tissue throughout your body, especially your lungs, brain, heart and kidneys.

Your symptoms will depend on which organ invasive aspergillosis affects.  Some evidence of this infection might cause:

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a very serious infection, so early treatment is paramount.  Typically treated with antifungal drugs.  And if you don’t recover, it will eventually lead to death.

Aspergilloma is a tangled growth, or fungus ball, occurring in those who had a previous lung disease. Lungs that have air space damage caused by emphysema, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, lung cancer or other lung diseases develop pulmonary aspergilloma.

Initially, an aspergilloma likely won’t cause you any symptoms. However, in time it can create:

Fungus ball aspergilloma is usually not treated unless you experience lung bleeding.

The aforementioned forms of aspergillosis start with inhaling mold spores into their lungs.  So if you are susceptible, these measures may reduce your moldy chances:

  • change air filters routinely
  • stay out of dust filled environments
  • no gardening nor lawn work for you
  • keep house and yard free of organic decay
  • wear an N95 mask in high mold risk areas

So get masked to guard your health against allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and aspergilloma!

Additional Fungal Health Blurbs:

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