Family of Spring Hill Woman Calls Attention to Histoplasmosis Concerns
In Spring Hill, Tennessee, the family and best friend of a woman who recently passed away are raising alarms about histoplasmosis, citing delayed testing and treatment as significant issues.
The Tennessee Department of Health has reported 35 confirmed cases of histoplasmosis in Williamson and Maury counties during its ongoing investigation. However, a specific source of exposure hasn’t been identified yet, which is something that often occurs with this type of infection.
Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by a fungus present in soil. Its symptoms can mimic those of pneumonia and other respiratory ailments, including coughing, chest pain, fever, chills, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
Alyssia Brown’s family shared their story after her unfortunate passing. Shortly after moving into her home in October, she developed a cough that lingered for weeks. Her roommate and best friend, Kimberly Shelton, remarked that it initially didn’t seem too concerning.
“When we first moved in, she began to cough. Honestly, it seemed minor at first—a simple cough that just wouldn’t go away,” Shelton recounted.
Gwendolyn Brown, Alyssia’s mother, stated that she recognized her daughter’s symptoms after reading about the histoplasmosis cases online. Upon hearing the details, Alyssia reportedly said, “Mom, that’s literally every single symptom that I have.”
The family shared that Alyssia went to the emergency room on December 8, where she was treated for bronchitis and prescribed prednisone, which they believe worsened her condition.
When they returned to seek more care a few days later, Shelton continuously urged medical staff to test Alyssia for histoplasmosis after becoming aware of the recent cases in their area. “When we went in, they didn’t even want to test her. I kept saying, ‘There’s this thing going around; can you please just test her for it?’” she said.
On December 13, a test for histoplasmosis was finally ordered, but tragically, Alyssia passed away on December 15. Her family confirmed that test results showing she was positive for histoplasmosis came back on December 18.
For Shelton, losing her best friend has been incredibly tough. “Living without my best friend is just beyond frustrating, and I don’t want anyone else to face this kind of pain,” she expressed.
In response to inquiries, the Tennessee Department of Health stated that it cannot confirm causes of death and does not comment on private healthcare providers’ procedures. The department did mention that they informed local healthcare providers about the histoplasmosis cases in a health alert issued on December 3, 2025, which detailed clinical symptoms, recommendations for providers, and suggested timelines for testing.
According to the TDH, histoplasmosis is prevalent in Tennessee’s soil, complicating efforts to avoid exposure. Those with weakened immune systems or who encounter high levels of spores are at greater risk of severe illnesses.
To minimize risk, the TDH suggests avoiding activities that disturb soil and reducing contact with decaying organic matter or droppings from birds and bats. For higher-risk situations—such as cleaning out chicken coops or working in old buildings—they recommend using protective N-95 masks.
Brown’s mother urged others to advocate for their health by requesting testing if they suspect exposure. “Just keep asking for that test until you get one,” she advised.
While the family awaits formal autopsy results, they hope that sharing Alyssia’s story will encourage others to take persistent symptoms seriously and seek medical attention when needed.
