Aspergillosis
1 medicine
Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus mold, most often affecting the lungs in people with weakened immunity, and is treated with antifungal medicines.
Key facts
- Aspergillosis is caused by Aspergillus, a common mold found in soil, compost, and decaying plant matter that most healthy people inhale every day without harm.
- It mainly becomes a problem in people whose immune systems are already under pressure, such as those on long-term corticosteroids, transplant patients, or people having cancer treatment.
- The most frequent form, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, causes persistent cough, chest pain, breathlessness, and sometimes coughing up blood.
- Triazole antifungals, including itraconazole and voriconazole, are the main treatment; seek prompt medical assessment if symptoms worsen or a fever develops.
Who gets it and how it presents
The most frequent form is invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, where the fungus takes hold in lung tissue. Symptoms can include a persistent cough, chest pain, breathlessness, and in some cases coughing up blood. A less invasive form, aspergilloma, produces a fungal ball in an existing lung cavity and may cause few symptoms beyond mild coughing. Allergic forms, such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, tend to affect people with asthma or cystic fibrosis and show up as worsening wheeze and airway inflammation.
Antifungal treatment
Treatment depends on which form of aspergillosis is present and how severe it is. For invasive disease, a triazole antifungal such as voriconazole is the standard first-line choice. Itraconazole is used for less severe or chronic forms, including aspergilloma and allergic disease, where it reduces fungal burden and calms the inflammatory response. Treatment courses can run for weeks to months, and blood levels of some antifungals are monitored to keep dosing safe and effective.
Diagnosis and monitoring
Diagnosis usually combines a chest scan with a blood or sputum test looking for fungal markers or Aspergillus itself. Because the people most at risk already have a weakened immune system, doctors often monitor closely for signs the infection is spreading or the treatment isn't working.
When to seek help
Seek medical assessment promptly if symptoms worsen or if a fever develops alongside breathing difficulty, as invasive aspergillosis can progress quickly in people with weakened immunity.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.