Most people with histoplasmosis have only mild symptoms. The most common ones are:

• Chest pain
• Chills
• Cough
• Fever
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Muscle aches and stiffness
• Rash
• Shortness of breath

In the very young, elderly, or immunocompromised people, symptoms may be more severe. They include serious lung infections, severe joint pains, and inflammation around the heart.

A common test to diagnose histoplasmosis is checking for histoplasmosis antigen in the urine. This test is especially useful in patients with severe disease.

Other tests that may be done include:

• Antibody tests for histoplasmosis (also called serologies)
• Biopsy of site of infection
• Bronchoscopy (usually only done if symptoms are severe or if you have an abnormal immune system)
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Chest CT scan
• Chest x-ray (might show a lung infection or pneumonia)
• Sputum culture (often not positive, even if you are infected)