Is histoplasmosis contagious between people?

• A. Yes
• B. Only via direct contact
• C. Not contagious between people
• D. Contagious via airborne transmission between people

Answer: (C)

Histoplasmosis is acquired by inhaling tiny fungal spores from environments enriched with bird or bat droppings, such as soil near caves or old buildings. Because the infection comes from the environment and is not carried by an infected person, it does not spread from person to person in everyday circumstances. You don’t catch it through direct touch or by being in the same room as someone with histoplasmosis, and coughing or sneezing from an infected person isn’t a usual route of transmission. The only rare exceptions where transmission between people might occur are unusual situations like organ transplantation or accidental laboratory exposure, which aren’t representative of typical community spread. So, histoplasmosis is not contagious between people.