World Aspergillosis Day

The mold that triggers the illnesses, aspergillus, is everywhere — indoors and outdoors. February 1st is World Aspergillosis Day. Aspergillosis is an infection caused by a type of mold (fungus). The illnesses resulting from an aspergillosis infection usually affect the respiratory system, but their signs and severity vary greatly.

In some people, the spores trigger an allergic reaction. Other people develop mild to serious lung infections. The most serious form of aspergillosis — invasive aspergillosis — occurs when the infection spreads to blood vessels and beyond. Depending on the type of aspergillosis, treatment may involve observation, antifungal medications, or, in rare cases, surgery.

World Aspergillosis Day was first proposed by a group of patients at the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester, UK. The inaugural day took place on the 1st February 2018 at the meeting for patients & carers at the Advances Against Aspergillosis meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in 2018.