A treatment that can be given by pill, in some cases, or by intravenous injection is fluconazole, or Diflucan. Most people prefer this treatment because it causes few side effects. Another common treatment for this condition is amphotericin B, which must be given by intravenous injection. In the past, histoplasmosis was treatable only with intravenous amphotericin. Itraconazole is used today, although it may not be effective for treating histoplasmosis involving the central nervous system and brain, since it does not penetrate well into the cerebrospinal fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain.
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection involving the lungs and occasionally spreading to the skin.
The fungus is of unknown natural source. Most reported cases are from the southeastern states and the Mississippi River valley, and occur in men ages 20 to 40. When infection occurs in the lungs, a dry hacking or productive cough, chest pain, fever, chills, drenching sweats, and shortness of breath are initial symptoms. If untreated, the disease slowly causes death. Amphotericin B is highly effective.