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Department: Health Department
Lincoln County is currently second in the state of Wisconsin for people diagnosed with blastomycosis. In 2009, there were fifteen people who were diagnosed with blastomycosis; there were seven in 2008. Since January 1, 2010, we have had five people diagnosed with blastomycosis.
Lincoln County Health Department would like to remind citizens of the importance of knowing the signs of the disease, especially people spending a lot of time outdoors in the spring and fall of the year, when contact with the fungus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, is more common. The fungus lives in moist soil, mixed with decaying plants and vegetation. In the woods, close to water, is the prime area for the fungus to live. Only under exact conditions of humidity, temperature and nutrition, can the fungus grow and produce the spores.
Blastomycosis develops when the spores carrying the fungus are breathed in. This usually happens when the soil where the fungus is found is disturbed. People usually develop signs or symptoms of blastomycosis three weeks to several months after they had contact with the fungus.
Usually, blastomycosis symptoms resemble those of pneumonia and other lung conditions, but it can affect other body systems including skin and bone. Some people that have blastomycosis may never have symptoms. Blastomycosis is generally more severe in the elderly and people with underlying health conditions such as a weakened immune system, asthma or other chronic lung conditions, smoking or diabetes.
Although anyone can get blastomycosis, the risk of getting this illness is low. Your chances may increase if you are often involved in outdoor activities such as farming, construction, and hunting and camping in areas with moist soils containing rotting leaves and wood.
Because there currently no effective prevention measures for Blastomycosis, it is important to recognize the symptoms of the disease. These include fever and dry cough which may progress to weight loss, chest pain and a cough, with thick mucus, that won’t go away. Other symptoms may include muscle aches, night sweats, coughing up blood, shortness of breath and chest tightness.
Although there are no formal recommendations to prevent exposure to Blastomyces, if you have an impaired immune system or are elderly, it would be advisable for you to wear a dust mask when taking part in activities such as gardening or other activities in which the soil is disturbed.
If you have any of the above signs and believe that you may have blastomycosis, contact your health care provider. If you have further questions or concerns on blastomycosis, please call Tammi Boers or Shelley Hersil at Lincoln County Health Department at 536-0307, 607 N. Sales Street, Merrill. |
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