What is the prognosis (outlook) for people with histoplasmosis?
About 90% of patients who acquire acute pulmonary histoplasmosis are asymptomatic, and about another 5%-7% who develop symptoms recover completely. Few may get acute pericarditis and pleural effusions. As the severity of the disease increases, the chance that lifelong problems may occur also increases. Patients with chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis usually develop (90%) cavities in the lungs that may reduce lung capacity and result in respiratory problems and increase the chances for a secondary lung infection. Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis has a grim prognosis (death in a few weeks to months) if appropriate treatment is not received. Even with appropriate treatment, some patients will experience relapses and may require antifungal medication for the rest of their life.
