Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis:
A new research paper has identified a life-threatening fungal infection called chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), mostly in the damaged lungs of tuberculosis survivors among Assam’s tea plantation workers.
- It is an infection caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that strikes individuals with immunodeficiency.
- It is a chronic lung disease that occurs commonly in pre-existing lung cavities.
- It mostly occurs in post-TB or active TB patients and shares similar clinical features with tuberculosis.
- It is not contagious, meaning it cannot be passed from person to person.
- It doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they can vary from person to person. The most common symptom of CPA is coughing up blood.
- Other symptoms can include: unintentional weight loss, fatigue, shortness of breath, wheezing, etc.
