Blastomycosis

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Fungus

North American blastomycosis; Gilchrist's disease

Medicines may not be needed for a blastomycosis infection that remains in the lungs, unless it becomes severe. When the disease is severe, or when it spreads outside of the lungs, the following medicines (anti-fungals) may be prescribed:

• Itraconazole
• Fluconazole
• Ketoconazole

Amphotericin B may be used for severe infections.

You should follow-up regularly with your doctor to make sure the infection doesn't return.

Patients with minor skin sores (lesions) and relatively mild lung infections usually recover completely. If the infection is not treated, it can become severe enough to cause death.

• Large sores with pus (abscesses)
• Return of the infection (relapse or disease recurrence)
• Unpleasant side effects to drugs such as amphotericin B

Call your health care provider if symptoms of blastomycosis occur.

Review Date: 07/26/2006
Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.