What Are the Treatments for Blastomycosis?

Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is very rare and found in soil and wood, primarily in the midwest and south-central United States. The infection is most common among those whose immune systems have been compromised, such as through HIV. The type of treatment administered is dependent on the severity of the condition and typically involves anti-fungal medications known as triazoles.

Symptoms

• If the fungus enters the lungs, it may remain there without producing any symptoms; however, if it spreads, it could cause sores over various parts of the body and damage the bladder, kidneys, testes and prostate. Other possible symptoms include chest pain; muscle and joint stiffness and pain; flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever and fatigue; shortness of breath; rash; and malaise.

Main Treatment

• The main form of treatment for a blastomycosis infection are anti-fungal medications. Although an infection relegated to the lungs may not require treatment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend itraconazole as the first line of treatment for mild infections or those that have moved outside of the lungs. Other possible anti-fungal medications that can be used include fluconazole and ketoconazole.

Other Treatment

• In the event that your infection is causing a very serious illness, or if you have a compromised immune system or an infection of the central nervous system, the main form of treatment is amphotericin B. This drug is designed solely for severe and potentially life-threatening fungal infections and should not be used for minor infections such as oral thrush. In some cases your doctor may prescribe voriconazole and posaconazole, two new types of anti-fungal drugs that are effective against the fungus.

Side-Effects

• Amphotericin B can havesevere side-effects, such as chills, shaking, fever, vomiting, nausea and headache. These effects tend to diminish after each dose. If you have kidney problems, using this drug requires frequent and careful observation of kidney functions. The benefits of using the drug for a severe infection far outweigh the negative aspects, though great care should be taken when using it. Possible side effects of other anti-fungal drugs include flu-like symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal upset and erectile dysfunction, among many others.

Prognosis

• If the medication prescribed is used according to the directions, there is a good chance of a complete recovery, especiallly among those with only minor lung infections and mild skin lesions or sores. If the medication is not taken according to the directions, or if you wait too long to treat the infection, complications such as abscesses and a recurrence of the infection can arise. In some cases, death may occur, which is more common in those with compromised immune systems.