Most people who are infected with C. immitis do not experience any symptoms of disease. When they do occur, they usually include fever, a productive cough, chills, headache, muscle aches, and sore throat.
The most effective way to diagnosis this infection is to collect fluids from the affected area, such as the lungs in someone with respiratory problems. Once these fluids have been collected, a laboratory will attempt to grow the fungus in test tubes. From there, a diagnosis can be confirmed.
It is possible to check blood samples for antibodies to C. immitis. This is the preferred method of diagnosing people with healthy immune systems. In people with HIV, particularly those with suppressed immune systems, antibody testing may not produce reliable results.
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