Ohio River Valley fever
The main treatment for histoplasmosis is antifungal therapy. In the case of pulmonary histoplasmosis, this may include oral (taken by mouth) medicines such as itraconazole or ketoconazole. In some cases, long-term treatment with anti-fungal drugs may be used after treatment with amphotericin, in patients who are immunosuppressed (for example, people with AIDS).
Prognosis depends on the clinical syndrome. Mortality is highest in disseminated histoplasmosis (up to 80% without treatment; decreased to 25% with treatment).
In individuals with weakened immune systems, disseminated disease may occur and involve the meninges (causing meningitis)
Side effects of medications (can be severe with amphotericin) are complications of histoplasmosis.
Notify your health care provider if you live in an area where histoplasmosis is common, and you develop flu-like symptoms, chest pain, cough and shortness of breath. While there are many other illnesses that have similar symptoms, you may need to be tested for the possibility of histoplasmosis.