I have a positive blood test for aspergillosis, when will I start being treated?

A positive blood test (I’m guessing you mean for Aspergillus antibodies or antigens?) can be a key part of the diagnosis, but treatment decisions usually depend on the full clinical picture, not just one result.

Here’s a general idea of how things are typically assessed and when hospitals begin treatment:

🩺 1. What Type of Blood Test Was It?

There are several “positive” results that could show up in blood tests related to aspergillosis:

• Aspergillus IgE or IgG antibodies (often used for ABPA or CPA diagnosis)

• Galactomannan or beta-D-glucan (used more for invasive disease)

• Eosinophil count / total IgE (helpful in ABPA)

So it’s important to know which test came back positive, and what condition is suspected.

🔍 2. When Do Hospitals Start Treatment?

Treatment usually starts when a combination of the following is met:

• Clear symptoms (e.g. breathlessness, cough, sputum, weight loss, fatigue)

• Consistent scan findings (like lung cavities, infiltrates, or mucus plugging)

• Positive blood tests

• Sometimes confirmed sputum culture or biopsy

Depending on the condition:

▪️ ABPA (Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis):

• Treated with steroids and/or antifungals when symptoms and blood results match

• Early treatment helps avoid lung damage

▪️ CPA (Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis):

• Treatment starts when scans and symptoms show progression, often with positive IgG

• Long-term antifungal therapy may be offered

▪️ Invasive Aspergillosis:

• Immediate treatment — often IV antifungals — if suspected, especially in immunocompromised patients

🕑 3. Not All Positive Results Mean Treatment Right Away

Sometimes, a positive result means you’ll be:

• Monitored regularly (watch-and-wait approach)

• Sent for more scans or sputum tests

• Assessed by a specialist team (like a respiratory or infectious diseases clinic)

📞 What to Do Next:

If you’re not sure what your result means, ask your GP or hospital team:

• Which test was positive?

• What diagnosis are they considering?

• Do I need treatment now or further investigations?

💬 You’re not alone — many people here have been through that “positive result but no clear plan yet” stage. Keep asking questions and pushing for clarity. And if you’d like help interpreting the result letter (with personal details removed), some people here may be able to share their experience.