What are the symptoms of aspergillosis?

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What are the symptoms of aspergillosis?

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of aspergillosis.

Pulmonary aspergillosis might not cause any symptoms, especially in the early stages. If the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

  • Coughing, sometimes accompanied by mucus or blood.
  • Wheezing.
  • Fever.
  • Chest pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.

Symptoms of invasive aspergillosis may include:

  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath.
  • Kidney or liver failure.
  • Shock.
  • Bloody cough or massive bleeding from the lungs.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis may cause:

  • Coughing accompanied by mucus or blood.
  • Wheezing or worsening of asthma.
  • Fever.
  • Increased mucus or sputum secretions.
  • Inability to tolerate exercise or asthma brought on by exercise.

Many patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis already experience respiratory symptoms similar to those caused by an allergic reaction, so it may be difficult to detect ABPA in these situations. Sometimes, a worsening of symptoms such as coughing and wheezing is the only sign that the person is experiencing an allergic reaction.

If the allergic reaction recurs over time, and the lungs become inflamed repeatedly, damage to the lungs and central airways can occur. Recurrent allergic reactions may cause scarring of lung tissue and widening of the central airways, a condition known as bronchiectasis.

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