Samples can be taken through the tube and are then sent to the lab to see if they contain Aspergillus. A person with asthma may develop chronic lung irritation due to Aspergillus. In others, aspergillosis may cause permanent damage to the lungs. It can also spread throughout the body and even result in death. Aspergillosis is not contagious from person to person.
People get the infection from the environment.
Most people are exposed to Aspergillus early in life and have no problems with it. Antifungal medications can be used to treat serious infections. A person with asthma often needs treatment to reduce inflammation and open up the airways. This treatment usually means corticosteroids, such as oral prednisone, instead of antifungal medications. All medications have side effects.