BLASTOMYCOSIS CAUSES |
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Once inhaled, the spores of B.
dermatitidis can lodge in the lungs and cause a localized
inflammation. This is known as primary pulmonary blastomycosis. The
disease does not spread from one person to another. In the early
stages, symptoms may include a dry cough, fever, heavy sweating,
fatigue, and a general feeling of ill health. In approximately 25%
of blastomycosis cases, only the lungs are affected. As the disease
progresses, small lesions form in the lungs causing the air sacs
deep within the lungs (alveoli) to break down and form small
cavities.
In another 35%, the disease involves both the lungs and the skin.
Bumps develop on the skin, gradually becoming small, white, crusted
blisters filled with pus. The blisters break open, creating
abscesses that do not heal. Approximately 19% of infected people
have skin sores without infection in the lungs.
The remaining approximately 20% of the infected population has
blastomycosis that has spread or disseminated to other systems of
the body. Symptoms may include pain and lesions on one or more
bones, the male genitalia, and/or parts of the central nervous
system. The liver, spleen, lymph nodes, heart, adrenal glands, and
digestive system may also be infected. |
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| BLASTOMYCOSIS RELATED ITEMS |
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