Diagnosis and Testing for Blastomycosis

How is blastomycosis diagnosed?

Healthcare providers use your medical and travel history, symptoms, physical examinations, and laboratory tests to diagnose blastomycosis. A doctor will likely test for blastomycosis by taking a blood sample or a urine sample and sending it to a laboratory.

Healthcare providers may do imaging tests such as chest x-rays or CT scans of your lungs. They may also collect a sample of fluid from your respiratory tract or perform a tissue biopsy, in which a small sample of affected tissue is taken from the body and examined under a microscope. Laboratories may also see if Blastomyces will grow from body fluids or tissues (this is called a culture).

Where can I get tested for blastomycosis?

Most healthcare providers can order a test for blastomycosis.

How long will it take to get my test results?

It depends on the type of test. Results from a blood test or a urine test are usually available in a few days. If your healthcare provider sends a sample to a laboratory to be cultured, the results could take a couple of weeks.