While we are all exposed to Aspergillus in our daily lives, most of us will not develop aspergillosis. Learn about who is at risk.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Different people are at risk for different types of aspergillosis. Generally speaking, people at risk for allergic aspergillosis have an immune system that is working too hard. People who develop invasive aspergillosis have an immune system that is not working well. In the following table, we identify each type of aspergillosis and who is at risk.
Table: Types of Aspergillosis and People at Risk
Type of Aspergillosis |
Groups at Risk (People with): |
| Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) |
|
| Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis (often due to Aspergillus) |
|
| Severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) |
|
| Aspergilloma or Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis |
|
| Invasive aspergillosis |
|
| Cutaneous aspergillosis |
|
Reducing Risk for Aspergillosis
If you have a lung problem or your immune system is weakened, you can take some steps to protect yourself from aspergillosis. However, because Aspergillus spores are everywhere, there are limits to what you can do to prevent exposure. Keep these points in mind if you are caring for someone at risk.
Things that might help reduce your risk include the following:
- Avoid areas with lots of dust (construction or excavation sites). If you can’t avoid those areas, consider wearing an N95 respirator.
- Keep your home as free of dirt and dust as you can. However, don’t repaint walls or rip up old carpets.
- Avoid musty areas where mold might grow—for example, a damp basement.
- Installing an air filtration system is a consideration, but it is not necessary if the cost or disruption associated with installation is a concern.
- Avoid using a humidifier, since it can be a source of bacteria and mold.
- In periods where you might be very immunocompromised, avoid dusting or vacuuming.
- Keep your house very clean (consider having someone else clean if you are particularly vulnerable).
- Wash towels twice a week and bed linens weekly.
- Avoid yard work or gardening. If that’s not possible:
- Wear a mask
- Wear shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when doing outdoor work
- Wear gloves when handling soil, moss, or manure
- Do not touch the soil of indoor plants or change the water in a vase of flowers.
- Clean skin injuries with soap and water especially if they involve soil or dust.
- Avoid smoking cannabis (marijuana). Since Aspergillus may be present in cannabis, people who smoke cannabis are three times more likely to have a fungal infection.
- Antifungal medication: If you have had an organ transplant or stem cell transplant, your healthcare provider may consider prescribing an antifungal medication to prevent aspergillosis. This is not a standardized approach—talk with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Aspergillosis can’t spread between people or between people and animals. However, some people with asthma get triggered by pets. For those people, there are steps to take to reduce the impact of the pet on their asthma. Learn more from the UK National Centre for Aspergillosis here.
Mold is everywhere. However, if you see mold in your house or you can smell it, it might pose a health risk. You don’t really need to figure out what type of mold it is— it should be removed. You may be able to clean it yourself, but when mold involves the structure of a house, it may require professional remediation. It’s hard to say what amount of mold or type of mold will cause problems, so your energy is best spent getting rid of the mold.
Yes, it’s possible to get an infection from a healthcare facility. In the United States, facilities take special precautions to prevent patients from getting aspergillosis, particularly for patients who are at increased risk for infection. This includes patients in particularly vulnerable stages during the process of receiving stem cell transplants or organ transplants. The facilities that care for high-risk patients can use specialized systems to filter the air (for example, a high-efficiency particulate air [HEPA] filter and laminar flow) or positive air pressure isolation rooms to push infectious particles out of the room. Hospitals should be careful when doing construction and have procedures for visitors.
Outside the United States, the processes may be different. One of the risks of going overseas for medical procedures (medical tourism), is increased infectious risks. In a different environment, you may encounter organisms that you have not been exposed to before and that your immune system doesn’t know how to handle. In addition, you can also be at increased risk for procedure-related infections because the infection control and prevention processes are not as regulated. ln fact, in 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documented more than 20 cases of fungal meningitis linked to patients who traveled to Matamoras, Mexico for elective cosmetic procedures. Several of the affected individuals died. These are real issues to weigh if you are considering seeking cosmetic or other procedures outside the United States.