What is a common symptom of illness from exposure to bird and bat droppings?

Flu-like symptoms are commonly associated with exposure to bird and bat droppings due to the potential for contracting histoplasmosis and other respiratory diseases. The inhalation of spores from the droppings can lead to symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue, which resemble those of the flu. These symptoms occur as the body responds to the fungal spores that might be in the droppings, causing an inflammatory response in the lungs.

In contrast, gastrointestinal distress, skin rashes, and joint pain are not typical outcomes of this specific type of exposure. Gastrointestinal issues may arise in other contexts but do not align closely with the respiratory-related illnesses linked to bird and bat droppings. Skin rashes can occur due to a variety of irritations, but they are not a hallmark of this exposure. Joint pain is also a symptom found in various conditions but does not specifically relate to the inhalation of spores from droppings. Thus, flu-like symptoms directly reflect the body's response to the exposure in the context of respiratory diseases.