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Histoplasmosis
Posted by Marilyny on May 6, 2026, 12:38 am
Hello LaManzanilla friends! Has anyone had or heard of someone contracting Histoplasmosis while in either LaManz or Manzanillo? A friend who visits every year got it, and they are under the impression it is not that uncommon in the area., Histoplasmosis is a respiratory infection caused by breathing in airborne spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, commonly found in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Symptoms often mimic pneumonia or are absent, but can include fever, cough, chest pain, and fatigue.
Re: Histoplasmosis
Posted by AnneliF on May 6, 2026, 11:18 am, in reply to "Histoplasmosis"
Yes, histoplasmosis is an infection one can get here.
Our former neighbors, a couple, both got infected a few years ago, and they had to be treated.
They had been sweeping outside their house, where bat droppings had been, contaminated by fungal spores.
So it is important when sweeping bird and bat droppings to use a proper face mask.
Our bats are vital for life on earth, however we need to be aware of the infections they might bring and be cautious.
Anneli ...
Posted by Jo AnnaH on May 6, 2026, 12:47 pm, in reply to "Histoplasmosis"
... would you advise the same precautions when cleaning up after caged birds? What about chickens; do they present a potential problem?
Re: Anneli ...
Posted by AnneliF on May 6, 2026, 2:51 pm, in reply to "Anneli ..."
Jo Anna, This had to look up online:
Caged birds (parrots, canaries, etc.): Low to moderate risk A regularly cleaned indoor bird cage usually does not create ideal conditions for this fungus. * Risk increases if: * Droppings accumulate for long periods * The material dries out and becomes airborne dust * Cleaning involves sweeping or scraping without dampening
Smart precautions:
* Lightly mist surfaces before cleaning (prevents dust) * Use gloves and a mask (even a simple one helps) * Avoid dry sweeping or vacuuming droppings * Wash hands well afterward
Chicken and Coops: Higher risk of transmission than caged birds—but still situational.
* Histoplasma is more associated with soil contaminated by bird or bat droppings over time, not the birds themselves. * Chicken coops can become a concern when: * Droppings build up in soil or bedding * Areas stay shade and undisturbed * Old material becomes dry and dusty, then gets disturbed
Mexico - Histoplasmosis does exist in parts of the country, particularly in rural areas, caves, old buildings, and places with bird/bat accumulation * Backyard chickens can contribute to the right conditions, but they are not the primary source (bats are often more implicated)
Smart precautions:
* Wet down the coop/ground before cleaning * Wear a mask (ideally N95 if lots of dust) and gloves * Avoid stirring up dry, dusty manure * Clean regularly to prevent buildup * If possible, improve ventilation and sunlight exposure
So the bottom line:
* Caged birds: very low risk if you clean routinely and avoid dust * Chickens/coops: moderate risk only if droppings accumulate and become dusty * The real issue is inhaling spores from contaminated dust, not the animals themselves
Hope that helps! I learnt a lot too!
Re: Anneli ...
Posted by Jo AnnaH on May 6, 2026, 11:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Anneli ..."
I appreciate your diligence, Anneli; my research was superficial in comparison. Thanks for digging.
Re: Anneli ...
Posted by Channie on May 7, 2026, 12:45 pm, in reply to "Re: Anneli ..."
Histoplasmosis can remain hidden or dormant in the body for months or years after the initial exposure. While symptoms typically appear 3 to 17 days after breathing in the fungus, the infection can become latent, especially in people with weakened immune systems, and reactivate later.
From the CDC (US Center for Disease Control) KEY POINTS
Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma. Activities that involve plant matter or disturb soil, particularly soil that contains bird or bat droppings, can increase risk for histoplasmosis.
Certain groups of people are at higher risk for developing severe histoplasmosis.
Overview
Anyone can get histoplasmosis if they've been in an area where Histoplasma lives in the environment. Breathing in spores from the fungus can cause illness but most of the time people do not get infected. It cannot spread between people or between people and animals.
Where it is circulating in the environment, it is difficult to avoid breathing in fungal spores. Avoiding activities that involve plant matter or disturb soil, particularly soil that contains bird or bat droppings, reduces risk for histoplasmosis.
Who is at risk
Populations at risk
Certain groups of people are at higher risk for getting histoplasmosis and for more severe infections, including people who:
Have HIV/AIDS. Receive an organ transplant. Take medications such as corticosteroids or TNF-inhibitors. Are exposed to large amounts of the fungus such as: Outdoor workers Construction workers Farmers, especially if handling or cleaning up after chickens. Adults over the age of 55 and infants are more at risk for histoplasmosis.
Risk factors The chances of getting histoplasmosis symptoms rise with the number of spores you breathe in. People more likely to be exposed to the spores include: Farmers. Pest control workers. Poultry keepers. Construction workers. Roofers. Landscapers and gardeners. Miners and cave explorers. Demolition workers. Oil and gas extraction workers. People most at risk of severe infection Children younger than age 2 and adults age 55 and older have weaker immune systems. Because of this, they're more likely to get the most serious form of the disease, called disseminated histoplasmosis. Other factors that can weaken the immune system include: HIV or AIDS. Cancer chemotherapy. Corticosteroid medicines such as prednisone. Medicines called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, which often are used to control rheumatoid arthritis. Medicines that prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ.
Re: Histoplasmosis
Posted by BrianH on May 7, 2026, 4:31 pm, in reply to "Histoplasmosis"
It can be found in most tropical areas, and is most likely to give severe symptoms to people who are immunocompromised for some reason. I would have your friend have a full physical work up to see if there are any other issues going on
on May 6, 2026, 12:38 am
