Certain groups of people are at higher risk for developing the severe forms of histoplasmosis: People who have weakened immune systems, for example, people who: Have HIV/AIDS. 1–2 Have had an organ transplant. 2–3 Are taking medications such as corticosteroids or TNF-inhibitors. 2,4 Infants 5 Adults aged 55 and older 6
Who usually gets histoplasmosis?
Anyone can get histoplasmosis. It is recognized more often in immunocompromised individuals, such as in people with HIV or AIDS. Birds (especially chickens), bats, dogs, cats, rats, skunks, opossum, foxes and other animals can get histoplasmosis and may play a role in spreading the disease.
Which of these individuals would be at the highest risk of fatality from histoplasmosis?
However, infants, children, the elderly, and those with chronic lung disease are at risk. Immunosuppressed patients (for example, cancer or AIDS patients) are at the highest risk for severe histoplasmosis.
Where is histoplasmosis most common?
In the United States, Histoplasma mainly lives in soil in the central and eastern states, particularly areas around the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys,1 but it can likely live in other parts of the country as well.
How likely is it to get histoplasmosis?
One study calculated the incidence of histoplasmosis in adults aged 65 years and older in the U.S. to be 3.4 cases per 100,000 population. Rates were highest in the Midwest, with an estimated 6.1 cases per 100,000 population.
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