Fungal pneumonia is a lung infection caused by fungi. This may be caused by either opportunistic or endemic fungi or combination of both. This is mostly found in people with compromised immune system. Fungal pneumonia comes in various forms and can affect anyone, that is, people with good immune system can be easily treated with anti fungal medicines. It is easy to treat the condition, if the symptoms are known.
Symptoms of Fungal Pneumonia:
Following are the symptoms of fungal pneumonia.
- Fever: Immune system kicks in when fungus invades capillary spaces on border of lungs. Immune system fights against the pneumonial spores by surrounding and absorbing the spores. During this process, cytokines are released by the immune system that irritates body and causes chills and fever.
- Shortness of Breath: Fungus attacks the lining of lungs and capillaries produce by-products of fluids. It leaks into alveoli passages of lung that helps in the consumption of oxygen and makes breathing difficulty. Thus, produces fatigue and shortness of breath.
- Dry Cough: Fluids pool in the areas where it is not needed, hence upper portion of lungs and throat suffer from irritation. Thus, this leads to wracking cough, often accompanied by lung’s attempt to expel the fluid.
- HIV Infection: People suffering from fungal pneumonia are unhealthy, before the disease. Fungus, usually is rejected by the body easily. HIV is the most common precondition of pneumonia caused by fungus. This means that pneumonia is accompanied with HIV symptoms and even symptoms of AIDS. Often, this condition is considered as a warning sign which HIV might have caused AIDS.
Other symptoms of fungal pneumonia include the similar health issues as people face with other standard forms of pneumonia. These signs and symptoms include chest pain, muscle pain caused by oxygen deprivation, headaches and sweating.
