Fungal Community-Acquired Pneumonias

At a glance

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever), histoplasmosis, and blastomycosis are three types of fungal community-acquired pneumonias (CAP). Each are caused by fungi that live in different parts of the United States, where they are considered endemic. Fungal CAP are often misdiagnosed, delaying treatment when needed. Healthcare providers can use CDC's algorithms to guide testing and treatment for coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and blastomycosis.

Woman breathing in spores.

Community-acquired pneumonias

man coughing with mountains, trees, and a river in the background
Blastomycosis
Blastomycosis is a lung infection caused by a fungus that lives in soil in parts of the U.S.
woman coughing outside
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasma, a fungus in soil, bird, and bat droppings in areas in the U.S., causes lung infections.
A woman checking her temperature while standing outdoors in a desert
Valley Fever
Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a lung infection from a fungus in soil in parts of the U.S.
Map of the United States showing CDC’s current estimates of where the fungi that cause blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever), and histoplasmosis live in the environment
Testing Algorithms for Fungal Pneumonias
Find 3 clinical algorithms to guide testing and treatment for endemic community-acquired pneumonias.
Health Care Providers: Testing Algorithms for Fungal Pnuemonias
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