Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease. The organism Histoplasma causes histoplasmosis. Histoplasma is found in some central and eastern states including Michigan. The fungal disease happens when a person breathes in fungal spores from infected soil or other decomposing matter that is disturbed (digging in dirt, raking leaves, etc.). Infected soil often contains bird or bat droppings.
Anyone can get histoplasmosis if they have been in an area where Histoplasma lives. Infection can be severe in some people, such as those with weakened immune systems.
