Aspergillosis Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of Aspergillosis

The signs and symptoms of aspergillosis vary depending on the form.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis has symptoms similar to asthma. They include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

With chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, it usually takes a while for someone to develop symptoms. When they do emerge, symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss. It is also common for people with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis to develop a tangled mass of fungus fibers called an aspergilloma or “fungus ball” in cavities within the lungs. Symptoms that accompany this growth are frequently coughing up blood and shortness of breath.

Because individuals with invasive aspergillosis usually live with other medical conditions, it can be hard to identify symptoms related to the aspergillosis infection. Symptoms may also differ depending on what organs are affected as the infection spreads. However, they commonly include coughing up blood, fever and chills, headaches, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Additionally, Aspergillus can cause localized infections of the nails, eyes, skin, sinuses or ear canals.

How Aspergillosis Is Diagnosed

When diagnosing aspergillosis, your healthcare provider will want to consider your risk factors and medical history in conjunction with your symptoms and physical exam results. Then, they may suggest lab tests including skin, blood and sputum tests. Imaging tests such as a chest X-ray or CT scan can help with diagnosis because your provider may be able to spot a nodule or fungal mass on your lung, caused by the mold, that would prompt further testing. If they are still unsure, a tissue biopsy may be the best way to get a clear diagnosis.