Aspergillosis
Overview
Aspergillosis is a condition caused by aspergillus mould. There are several different types of aspergillosis. Most affect the lungs and cause breathing difficulties.
Symptoms
Symptoms of aspergillosis include: shortness of breatha cough – you may cough up blood or lumps of mucuswheezinga high temperaturelosing weight without tryingfeeling tired If you already have a lung condition, your symptoms may get worse.
Causes
Aspergillosis is usually caused by breathing in tiny bits of mould. The mould is found in lots of places, including: soil, compost and rotting leavesplants, trees and cropsdustbeddingdamp buildingsair conditioning systems soil, compost and rotting leaves plants, trees and crops dust bedding damp buildings air conditioning systems You cannot catch aspergillosis from someone else or from animals.
Treatment
Treatment for aspergillosis depends on the type you have and usually aims to help control the symptoms. If it's not treated or well controlled, there's a risk it could damage your lungs. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or ABPA (an allergy to aspergillus mould) Steroid tabletsandantifungal tablets Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis or CPA (a long-term lung infection) Long-term (possibly lifelong) treatment with antifungal tablets Aspergilloma (a ball of mould in the lungs, often linked to CPA) Surgery to remove the ball if it's causing symptoms, often after antifungal treatment Invasive pulmonary aspergillus or IPA (a life-threatening infection in people with a weakened immune system) Antifungal medicine given directly into a vein in hospital
Prevention
It's almost impossible to completely avoid aspergillus mould. But there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting aspergillosis if you have a lung condition or weakened immune system. try to avoid places where aspergillus mould is often found, such as compost heaps and piles of dead leaves try to avoid places where aspergillus mould is often found, such as compost heaps and piles of dead leaves open your windows several times a day to air your rooms, especially if you're cooking or using a shower open your windows several times a day to air your rooms, especially if you're cooking or using a shower wear a face mask in dusty places or when you're gardening wear a face mask in dusty places or when you're gardening consider using a dehumidifier and an air purifier with a HEPA filter at home consider using a dehumidifier and an air purifier with a HEPA filter at home keep your house heated at between 18 and 21C in cold weather keep your house heated at between 18 and 21C in cold weather do not dry your laundry in your bedroom or living areas, if possible – ideally dry it outside or in a tumble dryer do not dry your laundry in your bedroom or living areas, if possible – ideally dry it outside or in a tumble dryer do not open your windows if there's construction work or digging outside do not open your windows if there's construction work or digging outside