I was diagnosed with aspergillus after having a bronchoscopy,treated on v- fend for 15 days. How can I know it's gone?

[Luanne]

[GAtherton Administrator Fungal Infection Trust]

There are several possible answers to this question depending on which type of aspergillosis you may have, what other health problems you may have and so on.

We have a comprehensive collection of protocols advising doctors on best current practice for the treatment of aspergillosis in all its forms here: aspergillus.org.uk/secure/t...

Aspergillus infections are difficult to kill in a few weeks. Your best advice is to stay aware for any symptoms returning and if they do go to your doctor.

[Luanne in reply to GAtherton]

The culture said I have Aspergillus fumigatus. I had many uri over a six month period with coughing etc so my dr decided to do the bronchoscopy. At the time of the test I was not having any symptoms but due to the results I was treated on v- fend. I am concerned that I might still have it and that's why I am asking how other than another bronchoscopy can I be sure it's gone. I also have severe copd and hep c from a blood transfusion.

[dorsi]

luanne, my name is dorsi. i want to share my experience with chronic necrotizing aspergillus. i was hospitalized for 22 days and had a bronchoscopy, steroids, breathing treatments day and night, vfend etc. when i was released i had to have a lung biopsy and 90 days of capsofungin infusion. this all took place in 2008. in 2010 i had a relalpse and it all started growing again. 600 mg of vfend for 6 months, until i became toxic. i had many ct scans (too many to count) and still get them every 6 months or now 1 per year. please keep in close touch with you dr. the aspergillus i have is a slow growing invasive aspergillus. good luck and good health to you. let me know how you are doing. thanks, dorsi

[GAtherton Administrator Fungal Infection Trust]

Hi Luanne

The fact that you were infected in the first place may mean you are vulnerable to this kind of fungal infection as we are starting to pick up possible genetic causes for fungal infections like aspergillosis. It is impossible to avoid fungi such as Aspergillus so you may well have to keep monitoring your symptoms with your doctor for several years and taking antifungals if flare-ups occur.

There are several kinds of infection - some disappear forever - but keep monitoring!