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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffPeople who develop aspergillosis usually have an underlying condition, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, or have a weakened immune system due to an illness or to immune-suppressing medications. If you have symptoms of aspergillosis and are already being treated for a medical condition, call the doctor who normally provides your care for that condition. In some cases, when you call to set up an appointment, your doctor may recommend urgent medical care.
If you have a weakened immune system and develop an unexplained fever, shortness of breath or a cough that brings up blood, seek immediate medical care.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre- or post-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance.
- Write down your key medical information. If you are going to see a new doctor, bring a summary of other conditions for which you're being treated as well as recent medical appointments or hospitalizations. Also write down all medications you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along. Aspergillosis can be a medical emergency. Take someone who can soak up all the information your doctor provides and who can stay with you if you need immediate treatment.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Prepare a list of questions so that you can make the most of your time with your doctor. For aspergillosis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Do I need to be hospitalized?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- If the first treatment isn't effective, what will you try next?
- Am I at risk of side effects from the medications you're recommending? What are they?
- How will you monitor my response to treatment?
- Am I at risk of long-term complications from this condition?
- Do we need to change the treatments I'm taking for other health conditions?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will be familiar with your health history and your recent medical and surgical treatments, so he or she will likely be aware of your risk of aspergillosis. Still, your doctor is likely to ask you some questions, including:
- What are your symptoms?
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- How severe are your symptoms? Do they seem to be getting worse?
- Have you had a fever?
- Are you having difficulty breathing?
- Are you coughing up blood?
- What else concerns you?
- Stevens DA. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, et al., eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126486890-3/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 15, 2009.
- Aspergillosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/aspergillosis_gi.html. Accessed March 15, 2009.
- Davies SF, et al. Fungal infections. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: W.B. Saunders; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126486890-4/817667210/1288/304.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0327-0..50037-9--cesec55_2038. Accessed March 15, 2009.
- Handa S. Aspergillosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126486890-5/817668274/1701/64.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50004-5--subchapter59_1265. Accessed March 15, 2009.
- Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 20, 2009.
