Symptoms often include fever, cough, headaches, rashes, muscle aches, and/or joint pain.

This invasion triggers the immune system to respond by sending white blood cells responsible for attacking microorganisms (neutrophils) to the lungs.

The neutrophils engulf and kill the offending organisms but also release cytokines which result in a general activation of the immune system.

The neutrophils and fluid leaked from surrounding blood vessels fill the alveoli and result in impaired oxygen transportation.

However, such tests are not only insensitive but take time to develop which is a major drawback because studies have shown that slow diagnosis of fungal pneumonia is linked to high mortality.