What is ABPA?
The small spores produced by the Aspergillus fungus can be easily inhaled into the lungs. Aspergillus, in particular Aspergillus fumigatus, can grow in the lungs of some people to cause allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). The body reacts to the Aspergillus by producing a long-term allergic reaction and inflammation.
Sufferers may experience wheezing, cough, fever and tiredness. Some may cough up dark plugs of mucus.
What is it like having ABPA?
Coming to terms with living with ABPA
From a Facebook Poll of our patient support group in 2021 –
we asked what aspects of their quality of life most troubled ABPA patients and 104 patients responded:
It is clear from this that the ‘Big three’ concerns affecting most people with ABPA are fatigue, breathlessness and coughing.
Some people told us of as many as 16 of these concerns that affected them, others only 1. It is clear that there is a huge range of experiences when you have ABPA, and no two people are likely to have all of the same concerns.
Some of these concerns are respiratory problems caused by ABPA and asthma/COPD/bronchiectasis but the most frequent concern is fatigue, which is common in chronic illness.
Anxiety and depression affect some, as might be expected.