Gardening May Cause Rare Lung Disease

Posted by Jamie McIntosh Apr 16, 2009

After a long winter spent indoors, often exposed to cold and flu viruses, one would think that a dose of fresh air and gardening would bring nothing but beneficial health effects. However, for some individuals, gardening invites a rare but deadly fungal disease to infect the body. Blastomycosis is a lung disease caused when individuals inhale fungal spores that reside in the soil, and it causes pneumonia-like symptoms. Symptoms are vague, but patients report a fever or unproductive cough. In fact, many patients receive treatment for pneumonia, but fail to get better.

Researchers aren’t sure what causes some people to get blastomycosis, while others don’t. Avoid stirring up the soil by practicing lasagna gardening, rather than using a tiller. Individuals with compromised immune systems may consider wearing a surgical mask during gardening activities, and can ask the doctor about the possibility of blastomycosis testing if flu-like symptoms don’t improve.