Prevention of Cryptococcosis HIV positive people with less than 100 T-cells who have been infected by Cryptococcus fungi are at risk for developing the disease. Some doctors use fluconazole treatment to prevent cryptococcosis disease in people infected with the fungus. Histoplasmosis Histoplasmosis disease is caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum . This fungus can be found all over the world, and is common in the Americas. The fungus lives in bird and bat feces, and in soils mixed with manure.
People usually become infected with the fungus through breathing.
In healthy people, the immune system usually defends itself against the fungus and kills it. But in people with weakened immune systems, the fungus can cause serious disease. HIV-related histoplasmosis can spread throughout the body, causing systemic disease. Symptoms include night sweats, fevers, extreme fatigue and weight loss. Some people develop skin lesions.