Symptoms of Histoplasmosis

Many people who are infected with the fungus do not show any symptoms.  In areas of the world where the fungus is very common in the environment, many people may have been infected with Histoplasma capsulatum without having any symptoms.  If symptoms occur, they usually start within 3 to 17 days after being exposed to the fungus.

In people who develop disease, the most common symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia, and include: fever, chest pains, and a dry or nonproductive cough.  Some people may also experience joint pain. If the disease is not treated, it can disseminate (spread) from the lungs to other organs.