Readers ask about fungal lung infections

Fungi Q&A

Three types of fungi — Histoplasma, Coccidioides and Blastomyces — that cause serious lung infections were thought to be confined to certain regions of the United States. But now they are widespread in the country, Tina Hesman Saey reported in “Where fungal lung infections have spread” (SN: 1/14/23, p. 32).

The story prompted so many questions from readers about the symptoms, treatments and testing for these fungal infections that Saey answered them in a follow-up article online. An abridged version appears below.

How do you get infected?

People generally get infected by inhaling fungal spores. Human activities such as farming, gardening and construction can disturb the soil where these fungi live, stirring up spores.