Its symptoms vary greatly, but the disease primarily affect the lungs. Occasionally, other organs are affected. This form of the disease is called disseminated histoplasmosis, and it can be fatal if untreated. Infants, young children, and older persons, in particular those with chronic lung disease are at increased risk for severe disease. H. capsulatum grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings.
Spores become airborne when contaminated soil is disturbed.
Breathing the spores causes infection. The disease is not transmitted from an infected person to someone else. Most infected persons have no apparent ill effects. The acute respiratory disease is characterized by respiratory symptoms, a general ill feeling, fever, chest pains, and a dry or nonproductive cough. Distinct patterns may be seen on a chest x-ray.