CHRONIC PULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS (CPA) - Patient Leaflet (Mar 2022)

Sep 2, 2026

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Patient leaflet providing an accessible overview of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA), including what CPA is, who may be affected, and how Aspergillus infection relates to long-term lung disease. It explains major disease forms such as aspergilloma, cavitatory and fibrosing pulmonary aspergillosis, and clarifies what CPA is not and common risk factors like weakened immunity, diabetes, and poor nutrition. The leaflet covers symptoms, diagnostic tests, likely environmental spore sources, treatment options and guidance for when to seek urgent help after coughing blood.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA)

What is CPA?

Who is affected by CPA?

Symptoms of CPA

Where do Aspergillus spores come from?

How is CPA treated?

What to do after coughing up blood (haemoptysis)

When to seek help

Treatment for haemoptysis

# CHRONIC PULMONARYASPERGILLOSIS(CPA) What is CPA? Breathing is the # Chronic:long-term illness greatest pleasure # Pulmonary:of the lungs in life Aspergillosis:caused by an infection with spores of the fungus Aspergillus Aspergillus is a common type of fungus that is in the environment.Aspergillosis affects the airways and lungs because the fungal spores are breathed in from the environment. Who is affected byChronic PulmonaryAspergillosis? # Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosiscovers arangeof disease: Aspergilloma:a single cavity,or hole,in theMost people who breath in spores do not getlung containing a ball of fungusill,because the body's immune systemdestroys them.Chronic cavitatory pulmonary aspergillosis:multiple cavities in the lung,with moreCPA develops when spores can hide awaywidespread infection.Cavitatory may alsofrom the immune system most commonly inhave an aspergillomacavities or scarring left behind by other lungproblems,such as:Chronic fibrosing pulmonary aspergillosis:development of scarring in the lungs☑previous tuberculosis ☑sarcoidosisCPA is not:☑ COPD and emphysema冈Contagious:you cannot catch aspergillosisfrom another person or animal☑previous lung cancer 冈Caused by being unhygienic or dirty☑ previous pneumothorax(collapsed lung) ☑previous surgery to the lungs冈Caused by eating mouldy food People with weakened immune systems,You are not alone!diabetes and poor nutrition are also more atrisk of developing CPA.Find support al:aspergillosistrust.org # CHRONIC PULMONARYASPERGILLOSIS(CPA) What are thesymptoms? ☑Shortness of breath ☑Coughing up sputum Aspergillus ☑Coughing up blood ☑ Tests on your sputum (haemoptysis) ☑X-ray and CT scan of thelungs ☑Weight loss ☑Fatigue ☑Breathing tests to checkyour lung function People with CPA are morevulnerable to chestinfections,and sometimesneed additional courses ofantibiotics. ☑A bronchoscopy:a cameratest to look inside yourlungs Aspergillus grows very slowly,symptoms may not developfor many years. # Where do Aspergillusspores come from? Howis CPA treated? CPA usually needs lifelongtreatment ☑Rotting leaves,compost,☑Building or demolitionwork dust☑Household dust☑Pillows and bedding☑Air conditioning units Antifungal medicines takenby mouth What to do aftercoughingup blood(haemoptysis) Coughing up blood can be worrying at first.It is very common in people with CPA, and most patients learn to understand what is normal for them. However,large bleeds fromthe lungs can belife-threatening. # When to seek help: ☑ If you cough up more thana tablespoon of blood,attend A+E or call 999. ☑ If you are coughing upblood,and start to havedifficulty in breathing call999 ☑ If you are coughing upblood more frequently thanusual,or there is a changeto your normal pattern,speak with your doctor # What is the treatment forhaemoptysis? If you are having frequentbleeds,you may beprescribed a tablet calledtranexamic acid that helpsstop bleeding. Intravenous(IV)antifungalmedicines are sometimesneeded If you are admitted to hospitalwith haemoptysis,you mayneed a blood transfusionand/or a procedure to stopthe bleeding calledembolization. Surgery is an option in somepatients,to remove a singleaspergilloma(ball of fungus)from the lung

FAQs

What is chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA)?

CPA is a long-term lung illness caused by infection with Aspergillus fungal spores inhaled from the environment. It affects the airways and lungs after spores are breathed in.

Who is at higher risk of developing CPA?

People who inhale spores often do not develop CPA because the immune system destroys them. Higher risk occurs when immune systems are weakened, including in diabetes and poor nutrition, and in people with certain previous lung conditions.

What should you do if you cough up blood (haemoptysis)?

Seek urgent help if you cough up more than a tablespoon of blood (attend A+E or call 999), if breathing becomes difficult, or if bleeding is more frequent or changes from your usual pattern. Treatment may include medications such as tranexamic acid, antifungals, blood transfusion, embolization, or surgery in selected cases.

Sep 2, 2026

Upload by Jiven