The common forms are allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). ABPA is predominantly a severe allergic disease, caused by the permanent growth of Aspergillus in the patient’s airway. It often makes pre-existing asthma worse. CPA causes severe breathing difficulties (from cavities) and fatigue. In some cases it causes large, frightening lung bleeds and permanent lung damage.

Co-existing infections (or super infections) are an additional problem in Aspergillosis. This is especially where there is lung damage, such as bronchiectasis (permanently widened airways) or cavities caused by Aspergillus infection. Common additional microbes are Pseudomonas and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria.

Aspergillosis can affect people with a weakened immune system, and in this form can rapidly kill. This might be due to cancer chemotherapy. It may also arise from immunosuppressive therapy used to stop organ rejection, in people who have received a transplant.

Other groups of people affected include those with a genetic (inherited) Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or viral/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome such as HIV/AIDs. One of the difficulties with awareness is that illness caused by Aspergillus in people with these other illnesses often goes unrecorded.