Diseases: Cryptococcus | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People

Diseases: Cryptococcus | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People

What is Cryptococcus infection (cryptococcosis)?
Cryptococcosis (Krip-toe-coc-o-sis) is a fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii. Most people do not get sick with cryptococcosis, but some people are more likely than others to get this disease. For these people, cryptococcosis can cause serious symptoms of lung, brain and spinal cord disease, such as headaches, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and night sweats.

Can animals transmit cryptococcosis to me?

Not directly. Cryptococcus neoformans is found in the droppings of wild birds (such as pigeons). When dried bird droppings are stirred up, this can make dust containing Cryptococcus neoformans go into the air. People can stir up this dust and then breathe it in . . .

Read more- http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/crptococcus.htm