A little off subject but worth reading.... Especially for us Midwestern Dried lake hunters...

[Mike Moutray - St.Louis MO]

I wanted to pass on a bit of info for you guys especially the ones who hunt drained ponds, lakes, or hunt where there is a lot of geese or ducks in the grass.

I recently had been seeing doctors for various complaints, and had a chest CT Scan done that revealed a lot of nodules in my lungs. Initially the doctor who read the test thought they were cancerous, but I consulted my Pulmonologist about the test results, and he had a different take. He said that the chance for cancer was remote (I'm having further testing done) and that they were likely from something called Hystoplasmosis. It is a disease you get, mainly from inhaling dust that contains dried bird feces - Dried out lake beds and lawns that are feeding grounds for ducks and geese are teeming with it - especially in the Mississippi Valley Region.

For most people it is not a serious thing, most people have had it and don't even know it in this region, but it can cause benign nodules in the lungs.

I'm thinking of the many years I have spent digging in duck and geese crap, and this doesn't surprise me any. This can produce a scare (like with me) when the nodules are discovered on a routine x-ray or ct scan of the chest, but if this happens to you - relax until you can get further testing to discount any malignancy. You might even let your doctor know of this if they find an abnormality with your lungs, or a "chest cold" that is slow to get better.

You can test for it in your system, but since it is so common in my area, there is no need to unless you are one of a very tiny percentage that this disease can become aggressive and attack your lungs.

Just something for you guys to keep in mind that those dried lakes and ponds can be hiding many little microbes to get you sick or infected. My doctor assured me though , that there is no point in trying to avoid these activities, as nearly all people quickly acquire immunity to this disease.

Thanks for your time and HH, Mike.

 

[christopher-ohio]

Tell me about it...we do come down with strange things at times. In mid June this year, I had a fever and night sweats for 5 days straight, followed by severe lower back pain, and redness in my right eye. My back was so sore that I could barely walk, let alone do any detecting. After I, the doctor, got a million $ work-up myself, it turned out that it was a virus called Parvo B-19; called Fifth's Disease or Slapped-Cheek disease in young children which it commonly affects. However, in adults, it can cause a transient reactive rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, like I had-kid's give it to their teachers most commonly. I subsequently recovered and feel better than ever but man, not fun. I've always worried about contracting Lyme Disease or even West Nile virus while out detecting as well. Good info...HH

 

[jimp]

n/t

 

[John LA]

A very close friend almost died from this. Get all the help available. You will be in my prayers. John R