Fungal Respiratory Infections

Question 1

what are the common symptoms of fungal respiratory infection

Answer 1

Fever
Cough
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Pleuritic chest pain
Fatigue

Question 2

what are the risk factors?

Answer 2

Immunocompromised patients:
Chemotherapy
Organ transplant recipients
HIV/AIDS
Cystic fibrosis
Exposure to endemic fungi (e.g., soil, dust, bird droppings).

Question 3

how is fungal respiratory infection transmitted?

Answer 3

Acquired by inhaling fungal spores from the environment.
Not transmitted person-to-person, so isolation is not required.

Question 4

what does serology test do?

Answer 4

Assess for fungal antigens or antibodies.

Question 5

what does skin testing do

Answer 5

May identify exposure to specific fungi.

Question 6

what does lung biopsy do?

Answer 6

In severe or unclear cases to confirm diagnosis.

Question 7

how is treatment monitored

Answer 7

Monitor fungal serology titers to assess the response to therapy.

Question 8

what treatment is used for severe infection

Answer 8

IV Amphotericin B (preferred, as it is poorly absorbed in the GI tract).

Question 8

what treatments are used for less severe infection

Answer 8

Oral antifungals:
Ketoconazole
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Voriconazole (Vfend)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)

Question 9

how is fungal respiratory infection prevented

Answer 9

Avoid exposure to environments with soil, dust, and bird droppings, especially for immunocompromised individuals.