Posted on 06/14/2008 5:40:27 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
London, England (AHN) - A British man has died from kidney failure after inhaling poisonous fungal spores. The 47-year-old died of a fungal lung infection after inhaling spore-laden dust stirred up while gardening.
The symptoms started less than 24 hours after he had dispersed rotting tree and plant mulch in the garden. He died in intensive care a week later.
By the time the man's doctors realized his condition was aspergillus fungal infection and began appropriate treatment, it was too late to save him. Later tests revealed he had developed acute aspergillosis, a dangerous reaction to aspergillus fumigatus spores.
The fungus, which is commonly found in decaying vegetation, usually sets off a relatively harmless allergic reaction but can cause serious problems if too many spores get into the lungs. People with weak immune systems are particularly vulnerable. In 1989, a similar fatal case was reported in a healthy British gardener.
Doctors advised gardeners and other people who regularly handle organic waste to wear face masks and to keep a distance when handling rotting material.
Isn’t that fun?! Kind of like walking up to a fireant nest and not kicking it—impossible! I don’t see the spore pods much around here, but I saw them quite a bit when I was younger and we lived in Ohio.
Lol!
Deadly stuff in every yard. Ever hear of tetanus?
It's probably true that most yards in America have deadly anthrax spores also. And a dozen or so others that could kill you before next weekend.
oOOps.
I love “Audrey.” (My favorite part of that movie is Steve Martin as the dentist, LOL!)
Not a week goes by when some kid doesn’t come into my garden center looking for a Venus Fly Trap or other predator plant, and I’m always amazed at how many “burly” men come in to talk to me about their endless love for their Begonia or Pothos, LOL!
And then there are the “Little Fusspots” as I call them. The guys still living at home with Mother who are OBSESSED with roses. Eeeek! I run from those creepy guys, LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.