A Soil Fungus That Causes Lung Infections Is Spreading Across the U.S. - Gizmodo

The CDC claims that histoplasma, or histo, is found in the soil of central and eastern U.S.

They looked at diagnoses across the country of three fungal diseases: histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and blastomycosis.

Histo, the most common, was causing clinically relevant rates of illness in at least one county in 48 of 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C.

While histo can be easily combatted in healthy adults, and many people who are exposed never develop symptoms, those who are immunocompromised as well as infants and people 55 years and older may develop more serious illness, including a cough, fever, chest, pain, body aches, and fatigue, according to the CDC.

People can be exposed to histo and other fungal pathogens through activities that disrupt soil, like farming, landscaping, and construction