In Australia I have found because our government is dead set on recycling we now have green bins that we throw all our organic waste in and they have really caused a problem for us ABPA's because we are allergic to compost & ground cover in the bush & even if an air-conditioner is not cleaned properly so just try to stay away from those things.
In my case it would appear that sometime in my life I suffered from TB which left cavities in my lungs, an allergy to aspergillus spores caused the fungal growth in my lungs. This is my experience but i imagine there are many other causes of which I am unaware
I do not know if there is a diverse cause of aspergillus in my case it was the mold with the same name. Apparently some people develop a terrible allergy to it, which creates lung inflammation capable of scaring the lungs which at some point creating a situation where you would either need a transplant of lungs or you would continue to fail.
I do know that hypersensitive pneumonitis can be contracted from being a baker(flour dust) or worm beds or farmer or any other life activity that causes constant irritation to lungs. Oftentimes people who keep birds can catch this condition from the bird droppings. Apparently even a hot tub that is mismanaged with its chemicals can give someone hypersensitive pneumonitis aspergillus.
Mould spores in the atmosphere we breathe and people with asthma or bronchial problems are more likely to be affected. Food is slight not proven as far as I know but can cause problems.
Living in the Pacific Northwest I developed it from a weak immune system from an autoimmune disorder. It comes from mold spores that get airborne. With me, I believe it came about from raising chickens and doing all the maintenance of cleaning the straws and from raking leaves and breathing in the mold spores. This came to me from my environment along with my weak auto immune disorder. Also, my home at that time was damp and we had lots of large dogs with long hair that were in and out of the house and I was the one who cleaned them. Plus the old carpeting that I vacuumed every day. So, I absolutely believe it was environmental.
Generally a person is at higher risk of getting aspergillosis if they are
1. Undergoing a medical procedure that renders them severely immunocompromised
2. Have inherited a set of 'susceptibility genes'
3. Have pre-existing lung damage eg Tb scars, COPD
Aspergillosis is caused by the fungus Aspergillus and its spores are present in virtually all of the air we all breathe, consequently, we cannot avoid breathing them in completely. This is the main route of infection.
Aspergillus is more plentiful in the air around disturbed soils and areas where there is lots of rotting vegetation. Damp homes and places of work also often have increased levels of Aspergillus spores in the air. It is unlikely that someone who does not have one of the above list of risk factors will get aspergillosis although they might be at risk of a sinus infection.
Clearly, if someone who has one of the risk factors were to enter a damp building then they would be at increased risk of getting aspergillosis.
Aspergillosis is an infection caused by a type of mold. The illnesses resulting from aspergillosis usually affect the respiratory system, but their signs and severity vary greatly. The mold that triggers the illnesses, aspergillus,
Breathing in spores of the cuts, which are always present in the air.
If you have asthma, your lungs are compromised.
You shouldn't use, potting mix, compost, or dig. soil, particularly in enclosed places.
The saprophytic Aspergillus Fumigatus is the common agent often colonising preexisting lung cavities due to TB or taking advantage of immunocompromised individuals
Had right upper lobe removed due to a Aspergilloma
Continued to be poorly and eventually refereed to Professor Denning at Wythenshaw who diagnosed me after various tests.
Started first anti fungal treatment Itraconazole which after 8 months st...
I think I developed ABPA after I emptied a compost maker that was not doing the job. Got a great lungful of dust.
Came back from a trip coughing. Had to work trip to Philippines coming up. My GP thought I had walking pnuemonia and I went with AB's...
I was exposed to Aspergillus Mold (and perhaps other strains as well) during the course of work as a Registered Nurse for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs in Texas. Although an asthmatic during childhood, mostly provoked by contact in allergens; I did ...
In 2007 had granulomas removed from right lung due to sarcoidosis, had chest infections on and off for years. Have been asthmatic since young child, in 2016 found my breathlessness was getting worse. After chest X-rays CTscans and blood tests diagnos...
I was diagnosed with ABPA in 1986. I was 34 and had been coughing up blood. my Gp sent me for a sputum test and so on, and ABPA was diagnosed. I felt very unwell, tired and thought I was nearly dead.
I didn't want to take steroids as I thought they ...