Fungus Found In Pillows May Cause Permanent Lung Damage

There is probably no human on earth who doesn't love sleeping. Cozy bed combined with a relaxing weather and you're all set. However, did you know that there are a number of funguses in your pillow that can actually make you sick?

Asperigillus fumigatus is known to be leading cause of mortality among leukemia and bone marrow transplant patients. This fungus has also been known to worsen adult asthma. According to sciencedaily.com, experts have found more than a million spores of fungi in a used feather and synthetic pillows.

In a 2005 research conducted by the University of Manchester, the researchers explained that aspergillus fumigatus may be found in household pillows because this fungus feeds off of dust mite dung.

This mold would usually trigger an allergic reaction with wheezing and coughing as its symptoms. This also causes asthma to worsen, or worse may cause long term effects known as chronic pulmonary aspergilliosis. People with this condition may not only have severe cough and shortness of breath, but also fatigue and they would also lose weight. The condition may cause severe lung damage if left untreated.

In the case of Stewart Armstrong, 36, suffered from aspergilliosis, a fungal infection that caused him to cough out clots of blood the day after his doctor found nothing wrong with his blood test. The fungus responsible for Armstrong's infection is caused by Asperigillus Fumigatus, which is a very light spore that can easily float everywhere.

The mold is usually found in rotting leaves, air conditioners, and old insulation on walls. The good news is that although it would take a while, the infection is treatable.

Armstrong believes he was exposed to the fungus when he pulled out a ceiling during a home renovation, the dailymail.co.uk reported. However, specialists say it's really not certain how Stewart got in contact with the fungus that caused the infection because it could be everywhere.

The doctors also said that for most people, their immune system will be able to break down the spores that they would normally inhale, but for those with pulmonary problems such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), there is a higher possibility for their lungs to be damaged.

Video Credit: youtube.com/PaulCochrane