World Aspergillosis Day Date in the current year: February 1, 2024

Aspergillosis is caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. This genus consists of several hundred mold species that are found in many climates worldwide. Some Aspergillus species are very common, and we inhale their spores very frequently but don’t notice it because our immune system protects us from them.

Aspergillosis usually occurs in people with lung diseases or immunocompromised individuals. It can develop in people with AIDS, asthma, COPD, COVID-19, cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, patients undergoing chemotherapy or steroid treatment, and people who have recently had an organ or stem cell transplant.

There are three main forms of aspergillosis: chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, aspergilloma, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. The disease can have various signs and symptoms depending on the Aspergillus species that has caused the infection and the patient’s immune status.

The disease may be asymptomatic; in case, the only way to discover aspergillosis is a chest X-ray. In some cases, the only symptoms are chest pain and coughing up blood. Common symptoms of a rapidly developing fungal infection in the lungs are chest pain, cough, difficulty breathing, and fever. Untreated aggressive aspergillosis can be fatal because it may cause severe bleeding from the lungs or widespread organ damage.

Less aggressive forms of aspergillosis are usually treated with antifungal medications and steroids. Invasive aspergillosis may require debridement (surgical removal of the mold clump) in addition to antifungal medications such as liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole. Prevention of aspergillosis includes protecting risk groups from mold exposure and giving immunocompromised patients antifungal medications as prophylaxis.

The observance of World Aspergillosis Day was initiated by patients at the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester, United Kingdom. Since its inaugural celebration of February 1, 2018 World Aspergillosis Day has become a truly global campaign supported by numerous healthcare organizations, patient groups, and other stakeholders around the globe.

How can you observe World Aspergillosis Day? If you have been diagnosed with aspergillosis or have ever helped to care for an aspergillosis patient, consider sharing your story online with the hashtag #WorldAspergillosisDay to raise awareness and encourage people with various lung diseases not to miss their doctor appointments and scheduled check-ups.

Other ways to observe World Aspergillosis Day include learning more about the disease and sharing the facts you’ve learned with others, donating to an organization that help fund aspergillosis research and support patients and their families, and having your lungs checked up just in case (even if you’re not in the risk group for aspergillosis, there are many lung diseases that can go unnoticed).