Popular Post webfact Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 A Bangkok woman who regularly fed pigeons unknowingly inhaled fungal spores, leading to a lung infection and requiring surgery to remove a mass. Despite having no symptoms, she was diagnosed with cryptococcal pneumonia, which had formed a cavity in her lung. Manoon Leechawengwong, a respiratory disease specialist, shared the case on Facebook, detailing the woman’s condition. At 52 years old, she lived in Bangkok and was generally healthy, with no history of smoking or chronic illness. She had no symptoms like cough, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, or headaches. During a routine annual check-up on May 12, an X-ray revealed a new small mass in the upper lobe of her right lung. A previous X-ray from the year before was normal. A CT scan showed the mass measured 0.9 by 0.9 by 1.7 centimetres, with a cavity inside. Blood tests confirmed she did not have HIV. Suspecting lung cancer, doctors performed surgery to remove the mass on May 22 at a nearby hospital. The pathology report identified the mass as cryptococcal pneumonia, caused by the fungus Cryptococcus Neoformans. Four days post-surgery, a blood test for cryptococcal antigen came back positive with a titer of 1:8. The patient began treatment with the antifungal medication fluconazole. Seeking further advice, she consulted with her doctors on the next steps. Further questioning revealed that the woman lived in an area with many pigeons and frequently fed them. She had inhaled spores from pigeon droppings, leading to the fungal infection in her lung. Fortunately, her strong immune system prevented the infection from spreading beyond her lungs. The treatment plan includes taking oral fluconazole for approximately six months. She was advised to avoid feeding pigeons and to stay away from areas where they congregate, reported Sanook. Manoon emphasised the importance of awareness regarding the health risks associated with feeding pigeons, particularly the potential for inhaling harmful fungal spores. by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Today's Homeowner Source: The Thaiger 2024-06-04 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe 2 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post pattjock Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 it's illegal to feed pigeons in Bangkok. 10,000Baht find and/or 3 months in prison. 1 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post pattjock Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 Just now, pattjock said: it's illegal to feed pigeons in Bangkok. 10,000Baht find and/or 3 months in prison. 2 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattjock Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post brianthainess Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 Flying rats, need culling. 3 1 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post petermik Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 Silly woman..... 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jaiyenyen Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 31 minutes ago, pattjock said: Tell that to the idiots that feed them in my village at Don Mueang. It started about 4 years ago with about ten pigeons, now they are in their hundreds. Where's me gun!!!! 555 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hotchilli Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 2 hours ago, webfact said: A Bangkok woman who regularly fed pigeons unknowingly inhaled fungal spores, leading to a lung infection and requiring surgery to remove a mass. But the poor things are starving.... 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post roo860 Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 1 hour ago, jaiyenyen said: Tell that to the idiots that feed them in my village at Don Mueang. It started about 4 years ago with about ten pigeons, now they are in their hundreds. Where's me gun!!!! 555 When you've shot the locals then start on the pigeons! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tandor Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 (edited) Psittacosis is a real threat coupled with the rapid global spread of H5N1. Edited June 4 by tandor typo 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denim Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 2 hours ago, pattjock said: it's illegal to feed pigeons in Bangkok. 10,000Baht find and/or 3 months in prison. A lot of things are illegal here but without much if any enforcement they are just more words on paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post steven100 Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 was she speaking in Pigeon english or thai language 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBKK Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 In Chiang Mai, they encourage feeding and taking photos at Thaepe Gate, which is a disgrace. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBKK Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 2 hours ago, pattjock said: it's illegal to feed pigeons in Bangkok. 10,000Baht find and/or 3 months in prison. Just Bangkok? it's a HUGE problem in Chiang Mai also. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NedR69 Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 Chest x-rays every year but did not have any lung health concerns?? "was generally healthy, with no history of smoking or chronic illness." Nah...there's more to this than is provided. Getting a chest x-ray every year is not routine unless there are lifestyle or health concerns. ( If you have lung issues, stay away from birds, especially aviaries or regular contact with birds. ) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Photoguy21 Posted June 4 Popular Post Share Posted June 4 Pidgeon's carry and can spread a lot of diseases which is why they do not want you feeding them. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticky Rice Balls Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 50 minutes ago, BobBKK said: In Chiang Mai, they encourage feeding and taking photos at Thaepe Gate, which is a disgrace. news!!!! go have a look!!! cops are there enforcing it and it seems to be working! for about a week now.....ive talked to them each time 2000 bt fine...no seed hawkers....much less birds that want to land on chinese for selfies but they are still trying of course thai birds wont do much unless you give them something! 🙂 kudos to BIB for trying....much nicer there!!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticky Rice Balls Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 48 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said: Pidgeon's carry and can spread a lot of diseases which is why they do not want you feeding them. forwards this to chinese tourists and tik tok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticky Rice Balls Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 52 minutes ago, BobBKK said: In Chiang Mai, they encourage feeding and taking photos at Thaepe Gate, which is a disgrace. not at the moment!!! go see!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticky Rice Balls Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 1 hour ago, Denim said: A lot of things are illegal here but without much if any enforcement they are just more words on paper. go chat up the cops at TP gate giving out 2000 bt fines....so far so good.....thank buddha! they have a tent set up..as im sure the seed hawkers are nearby waiting to invade again and their cash cow 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoguy21 Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 1 minute ago, Sticky Rice Balls said: forwards this to chinese tourists and tik tok If I did they would ignore it. Chinese are very difficult to work with in any way what so ever. Be better if Thailand imposed heavy fines on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBKK Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 1 hour ago, Sticky Rice Balls said: news!!!! go have a look!!! cops are there enforcing it and it seems to be working! for about a week now.....ive talked to them each time 2000 bt fine...no seed hawkers....much less birds that want to land on chinese for selfies but they are still trying of course thai birds wont do much unless you give them something! 🙂 kudos to BIB for trying....much nicer there!!! WOW - really? that's amazing news I'll take a look this weekend - thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardcastle P Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 4 hours ago, brianthainess said: Flying rats, need culling. Rats with wings 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0ffshore360 Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 15 minutes ago, Hardcastle P said: Rats with wings All the people living around me have the same thought about pigeons and go to great lengths to discourage them. What used to be fluctuating numbers have decreased since the number of crows has increased. Personally I think both are dirty birds but at least the crows don't try to nest in buildings. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattjock Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 If you are feed up with pigeons print out the flyers at the top and give to your local pigeon feeders, local police station and local city hall. Maybe something will change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangkokReady Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 Bless em. Thais always seem to be doing something harmful in the name of "good deeds". Feed the dangerous soi dogs (with food that rats probably eat most of), feed the disease spreading winged vermin, keep birds suffering in tiny cages and fish in small buckets thinking they'll get good karma by temporarily releasing them. I dread to think of the amount of negative karma that these Thais are actually building up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidneyw Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 3 hours ago, NedR69 said: If you have lung issues, stay away from birds Does that include Soi 6? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cory1848 Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 My cat caught cryptococcosis from habitually walking in pigeon droppings and licking her paws. It ate away half her face, and I had to have her put down. I learned that the fungus is not directly transferable from one animal to another, you need to get the spores from the source to get sick, but the vets were very careful in handling my cat. I wish the best to this woman who caught it; it's nasty stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAFETY FIRST Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 15 hours ago, webfact said: Bangkok woman contracts rare lung infection from feeding pigeons Stupid person, feeding rats with wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunLA Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 Nothing rare about that, if exposing yourself to pigeons all the time. My brother use to race pigeons, they almost killed him, the lung infection that is. He had to give up the hobby. Shock surprise, masks didn't work 😲 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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