What you must know about Fungal infections?

FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Fungal infections, as the term implies the infections caused by fungi(singular: fungus) are called fungal infections.  There are multiple fungal infections depending on the type of fungus involved in causing infections such as ringworm infection, histoplasmosis

Learning points

We are going to learn:

1. What is a fungal infection?
2. What are the different types of  fungal infections?
3. What are the causes of fungal infection?
4. How do we get fungal infections?
5. What are the common symptoms of fungal infections?
6. How are the fungal infections treated? Are fungal infections treatable?
7. What are the preventive steps or measures to stay free from fungal infections?

What is a fungal infection?

A fungal infection refers to any disease that is caused by the attack of fungus in the body, or body surface, especially skin.  It can affect the internal as well as the external body parts, the later being more common and contagious in nature. 

 

Now some of you might be unaware about fungi. Let us know a bit.

Millions of fungi are present almost everywhere in this ecosystem; in air, and soil, just like other microorganisms.  They grow from their microscopic spores which are not seen by naked eye.  Such fungal spores occupy common places such as soil, damp surfaces or objects, the skin of living beings and other areas with retained moisture.  They thrive and survive in warm, moist area.  On skin, they multiply to cause infectious or inflammatory response. Fungal infections are grouped under opportunistic infections that attack when the person's immunity levels are low/weak.  

 

Fungal spores can get transmitted from one object or person to another through contact or handling.  The area that it enters becomes the host site where it starts flourishing by attacking the immune system of the person.

In humans, the skin is the major site of fungal infections. However it can also be seen infecting the lungs, oral mucosa or vagina. 

Skin fungal infections are most commonly seen in sites such as in between toes, nails, groin area, inner thighs, and or other parts, etc.  

What are the causes of fungal infections?

Fungal infections are caused by fungus and are spread through either direct or indirect contact.  Some of the fungal infections are contagious while those affecting vital organs such as brain are not.

How do we get fungal infections?

Almost anyone can get infected by fungus despite their healthy status.  Some fungi are harmless in nature, whereas there are some species which attack the host and host systems. 

The causes of spread of fungal infections:

Direct contact:  This can be in the form of touching or handling objects that are contaminated with fungi/fungal spores. Such spores enter the surface and takes chance to grow in favorable conditions to produce an infectious response. Skin-to-skin contact with infected person is also a mode of transmission of infection. Spores get transferred thus. Unsterilised medical and surgical equipments may also be a cause of spread. 

Indirect contact: This can be through ingestion of contaminated foods or inhalation of some harmful fungi spores that infect the inner body parts. e.g. inhalation of aspergillus may cause lung disease called aspergillosis which is a fatal infection.

What conditions increase the risk of fungal infections: Risk factors? 

• Excessive perspiration or moisture.  
• Unhygienic body parts such as private parts including the groin or inguinal regions, the thighs or perineal area.
• Ingestion of fungus-contaminated food.
• Unclean toes, and nails.
• Lack of hand washing and sanitation.

What are the different types of fungal infections?

There are many fungal infections. Let us have a sneak peek of the most common ones.

Oral candidiasis:

• It is the fungal infection of oral mucosa.  
• It is caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. 
• Generally it resides in the lining of mucosa in the mouth in some proportion but when they overgrow, they start producing an infection.  
• The symptoms of oral candidiasis are white patches in the mouth mucosa, redness, cotton-like feel in the mouth, loss of taste sensation, tongue covered with white patches(thrush), difficulty in swallowing the food.  
• It is also commonly seen in babies who are breastfed.   It is also called oral thrush.  It can be treated with antifungal medications and local gel applications on the tongue.

Vaginal yeast infection: 

• It is the infection of vagina caused by fungus Candida albicans. Vagina is one of the reproductive organ in females.  It remains moist and always some types of bacteria and yeast reside there in small proportion which maintains the pH/chemical balance.  
• Whenever there is an alteration in the chemical balance of vaginal environment, these microorganisms overgrow causing infection. Thus the overgrowth of yeast Candida leads to vaginal yeast infection.
• It is also called vaginal candidiasis.
• It can be transmitted from oral-to-genital touch., though it is not included in STDs. See also Chancroid, a STD.
• The symptoms include, redness, itching, thick-white vaginal discharge of cheese consistency, swelling of vulva and around vagina., pain or burning sensation on urination.
• It can be prevented by maintaining perineal hygiene, wearing sweat-absorbing panties, and keeping the private parts dry and clean, changing off wet underwears, avoiding douching and use of fragrant soaps or scent. It is advisable to undergo a test if you doubt it is a yeast infection. 
• It is treated with antifungal medications. 

Histoplasmosis:

• It is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatam, a fungus and its tiny spores.  
• The spores of a fungus are mostly found in the droppings of birds and bat. They are so tiny that they can be inhaled in while breathing and then the vicious cycle of infection starts taking place inside the body.
• They are carried out into the lungs, and blood or lymphatic system and thus multiply uncontrollably to affect other portions of the body.
• Histoplasmosis is an infection that attacks the person with weakened immune systems such as people living with HIV/AIDs. 
• It is called disseminated histoplasmosis when it spreads via blood or lymph channels.
• It remains undiagnosed in many persons as the symptoms almost never appear.  
• The symptoms include Fever, chills, tiredness or fatigue which is very extreme, coughing, feeling of chest pain on breathing, erthythema and rashes on the lower extremities, generalized body aches. 
• Depending on the further invasion of the fungus, it can produce more complicated and severe symptoms.
• People working in construction or demolition sites are at more risk.
• It is not a contagious disease. It is treated with antifungal medications oral and intravenous based on the severity of the symptoms.

Ringworm infection:

• Ringworm infection is caused by a fungus Tinea. 
• As the name appears, it should be a worm infection but that is not true. It is a misnomer. The skin lesion in ringworm infection appears like a ring-shaped worm, so the name. 
• It can affect both humans and animals. It is found on scalp, groin and body.
• Tinea corporis is the ringworm of the body.
• Tinea cruris is the ringworm infection in the groin area, inner thighs and buttocks. It is also called Jock itch. Wearing tight undergarments may be the risk factor.  It is common in boys/males.
• Tinea capitis is the ringworm infection of the scalp.
• Tinea mannum is the ringworm of hands spread through hand-to-hand contact.
• Tinea pedis is the infection between the toes which is commonly seen in athlete's or sportsperson.  It is also called athlete's foot. 
• Tinea unguium is the ringworm of toe nails, also known as onychomycosis. It is a nail fungus that grows inside the toe nails making them thick yellow-colored and uneven in shape. 
• It can be prevented by maintaining good personal hygiene and keeping the damp body surfaces clean and dry, wearing loose fitting underwears, clothes, cleaning up all the bedsheets periodically to ensure infection free environment.
• Antifungal creams and talcum powders may be prescribed along with antifungal medications.

What are the common symptoms of fungal infections?

• The symptoms in general include redness, severe itching, scaly red lesions, ring-shaped with raised edges with a flat shiny centre, loss of hair, pain or burning sensation with discomfort, etc.
• It is caused due to the growth of fungus in the moist areas where the airflow is less or remains moist or damp. So it shows the symptoms in the affected areas accordingly.

How are the fungal infections treated?

Fungal infection can be treated best with the antifungal medications, which are available in the form of  oral tablets, suppositories, gels, creams and intravenous injections. 

Some of the widely known antifungal medications are Flucanazole, ketonazole, Clotrimazole, Miconazole, etc.

Fungal infections usually get resolved on taking complete source of treatment as prescribed by the doctor.  However, the remissions of the fungal infection are also common, though the symptoms may not be severe in recurrent episodes.

What are the preventive steps or measures to stay free from fungal infections?

1. Fungal infections can be prevented by effective hygienic measures.  
2. Health education plays an important role in understanding the fungal infections.
3. People need to understand that some fungal infection like ringworm may be contagious and so it is essential to avoid sharing of the clothes or towels or soaps among the family members. 
4. Hand hygiene is the utmost preventive measure that aids in preventing any infection.
5. See the doctor if you suspect you have fungal infection, follow the treatment regime promptly and keep yourselves informed about the same.
6. Control your sugar levels if you are living with diabetes, increased sugar levels are the main source of fungus infections. So take your antidiabetic medications regularly.

Seek medical attention and treatment in case, you have severe symptoms of fungal infections. 

Note: This post is for informational and educational purpose only, It is not a substitute to any medical or professional advice or treatment. See your doctor in any case.