What health effects can arise from exposure to bird and bat droppings?

Exposure to bird and bat droppings can lead to various health effects, particularly flu-like symptoms. This occurs because these droppings can harbor pathogens like fungi, viruses, and bacteria. One significant illness associated with bird droppings is histoplasmosis, which can cause respiratory issues and mimic flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches when a person inhales spores released into the air. In addition to histoplasmosis, exposure can also cause a range of allergic reactions and respiratory diseases, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems.

While skin irritation and headaches can occur from various allergens or toxins, they are not as specifically linked to the exposure to bird and bat droppings as flu-like symptoms. Vision problems are also not a common health effect associated with such exposure. Therefore, flu-like symptoms are the most accurate representation of the health risks connected to contact with bird and bat droppings.