On the 14th of May

"Hangzhou girl cleans moldy wardrobe and grows mold in lungs"

"Is the most popular topic on Weibo

Triggered a heated debate among netizens

A week ago, Miss Wang (a pseudonym), a post-00s woman living in Hangzhou, had symptoms such as cough, fatigue and fever. After a series of examinations, the doctor have found in the lung CT,that Miss Wang's lungs grew out of a "small tree bud", after laboratory analysis, confirmed that Ms. Wang was infected with aspergillus.

What is Aspergillus?

Aspergillus is a kind of fungus, belongs to a subtype of fungi,which is a typical filamentous bacteria, also a common conditional pathogenic fungi. Aspergillus is widely distributed in nature, such as water, soil, air, moldy food, clothing, etc., are places for Aspergillus to survive easily. They can grow at 6 to 55 ° C and relatively low humidity, and produce a large number of spores, which can be spread through the air for a large range.

The form of Aspergillus varies, its growth is relatively rapid, the surface may be grayish green, the back may be colorless or brown, the whole part is composed of a variety of branching mycelium. The harm of aspergillus is mainly manifested in the health effects on humans and animals. They can infect multiple organ systems, such as the respiratory system (sinuses, pharynx, tracheobronchus and lungs), gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, bones, skin, mucous membranes, eyes and nose. Among them, aspergillus pneumonia is a common type of infection, which occurs more times among people who work and live in moldy houses and have bad immunity.

According to statistics, the fatality rate of aspergillus was about 58%. Aspergillus fumigatum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus terreus and so on, among which Aspergillus fumigatum are most common . Protected by the immune barrier, healthy people are usually able to fend off aspergillus. However, when the human body is exposed to a large number of aspergillus conidiums at one time, will caused the state of low immune function or high sensitivity, or the lung structure will be damaged, then aspergillus may take advantage of the opportunity to enter into humans, cause aspergillus disease.

Common symptoms of Aspergillus infection

1, fever: Aspergillus infection can stimulate the body's immune system to produce inflammatory response, resulting in body temperature regulation center disorders, causing fever. Fever usually ranges from low to high fever and may be accompanied by symptoms such as sweating and fatigue.

2, cough and expectoration: Aspergillus infection may get bronchial mucosa and other locations stimulated, then cause cough. At the same time, Aspergillus is in the process of reproduction inside the body , which will produce a large number of metabolic products, these products will stimulate the respiratory mucosa, so that its secretion increases, resulting in symptoms of sputum. The phlegm is mostly white or yellow and sometimes may be bloodshot, often accompanied by an itchy throat.

3, chest pain: If the patient is not timely and effective treatment, with the continuous development of the disease, it may cause serious damage to the lung tissue, resulting in chest pain. Chest pain is usually located in the center or one side of the chest and is exacerbated by deep breathing or coughing.

4, breathing difficulties: Aspergillus infection can lead to inflammation and swelling of lung tissue, affecting gas exchange, resulting in breathing difficulties. Dyspnea may manifest as wheezing, shortness of breath, or the need to raise your breathing rate to meet your body's demands.

There are three main unexpected places to hide mold

1, refrigerator door: the plastic seal of the refrigerator is easy to breed mold. The fungus Streptomyces in these molds may cause inhalation allergies, and Aspergillus flavus may also increase the risk of liver cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to clean the refrigerator regularly every month, especially pay attention to scrubbing the seal.

2, washing machine: the residual water in the washing machine is difficult to be drained, and it is easy to breed mold in the small gap between the dewatering tank and the washing tank. In the rainy season or humid environment, the laundry basket or washing machine tube is wet, and it is easier to breed mold. Therefore, it is very important to clean the inner cylinder of the washing machine regularly, and it is best to disinfect the inner cylinder with a special cleaning agent every 1 to 2 weeks.

3, balcony: Most families hang clothes and grow green plants on the balcony, so it is easy for mold to breed. In particular, potted plants are easy to breed mold, and the soil used and flowerpots, auxiliary fertilizers, etc., make the soil mildew. Therefore, the balcony need to open the window ventilation regularly, as far as possible to move the potted plants to the outside, to receive sunlight.

What can be done to combat Aspergillus in daily life?

1, keep the environment dry and clean: Aspergillus likes a warm and humid environment, so keeping the living and working environment dry and clean is the key to prevent its breeding. Be sure to clean the room regularly, open Windows regularly for ventilation, increase the circulation of fresh air in the room, reduce indoor humidity, and help reduce the breeding of aspergillus.

2, proper storage of food: food is a common breeding ground for Aspergillus, so it should stored properly. Store food in a dry, ventilated, cool place to avoid moisture and mold. For foods that are susceptible to moisture, such as grains, nuts, etc., can be stored in airtight containers to reduce air exposure.

3, pay attention to hygiene, enhance immunity: maintain personal hygiene habits, wash hands frequently, take a bath, avoid wearing wet clothes for a long time. Maintaining a good lifestyle, a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep can help improve the body's immunity and reduce the risk of aspergillus infection.

4, avoid direct contact with mold: when cleaning moldy items, you should wear gloves, masks and other protective supplies to avoid direct contact with mold. After cleaning, wash hands and protective equipment promptly, and properly dispose of moldy items.

Because Aspergillus is widely found in the natural environment, it is difficult to completely avoid its presence. Prevention of aspergillus breeding and infection need to start from many aspects, because some symptoms are not specific manifestations of aspergillus infection, if there are doubts, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time and carry out relevant examinations to make a clear diagnosis.