Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

Symptoms of Blastomycosis

Man with thermometer in his mouth while holding his head.

Fever is a common symptom of blastomycosis.

Approximately half of people who are infected with the fungus Blastomyces will show symptoms.1 The symptoms of blastomycosis are often similar to the symptoms of flu or other lung infections, and can include:2,3

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Night sweats
  • Muscle aches or joint pain
  • Weight loss
  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

How soon do the symptoms of blastomycosis appear?

Symptoms of blastomycosis usually appear between 3 weeks and 3 months after a person breathes in the fungal spores.4

Severe blastomycosis

In some people, particularly those who have weakened immune systems, blastomycosis can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the skin, bones and joints, and the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).2,5

References

  1. Klein BS, Vergeront JM, Weeks RJ, Kumar UN, Mathai G, Varkey B, et al. Isolation of Blastomyces dermatitidis in soil associated with a large outbreak of blastomycosis in Wisconsin. N Engl J Med. 1986 Feb 27;314(9):529-34.
  2. Saccente M, Woods GL. Clinical and laboratory update on blastomycosis. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2010 Apr;23(2):367-81.
  3. Baumgardner DJ, Halsmer SE, Egan G. Symptoms of pulmonary blastomycosis: northern Wisconsin, United States. Wilderness Environ Med. 2004 Winter;15(4):250-6.
  4. Klein BS, Vergeront JM, Davis JP. Epidemiologic aspects of blastomycosis, the enigmatic systemic mycosis. Semin Respir Infect. 1986 Mar;1(1):29-39.
  5. Chapman SW, Dismukes WE, Proia LA, Bradsher RW, Pappas PG, Threlkeld MG, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of blastomycosis: 2008 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Jun 15;46(12):1801-12.

Related Links

TOP