Fungal infections of the body can be harmful and severe or minor and insignificant. We are all familiar with fungal infections of the feet. This type of infection is common and rather insignificant. Most people have had a case of athlete’s foot at one time or another. Everyday many people around the world are infected with more serious and life threatening fungal infections.
Diseases like aids, cancer, leukemia and other life threatening illnesses leave people with compromised immune systems which are susceptible to dangerous fungal infections. Candida overgrowth is a type of fungal infection that can be life threatening in and of itself. Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a strain of Candida Albicans.
Candidiasis can spread through out the body and eventually infect the bloodstream causing a condition called candidemia. This condition can cause damage to the kidneys, eyes or heart-valves. It can produce a low grade fever, low blood pressure and shock. Heart murmurs have been reported in some victims of this disease.
Diagnosis and treatment of Candidiasis must be made by a doctor. The doctor may require a blood or skin sample from the patient . Fluconazole may be prescribed to alleviate the fungal infection.
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection that attacks the respiratory system and occasionally can effect the bloodstream. Blastomycosis enters the body through the respiratory tract and spreads to the lungs. Spores which are in the environment infect the lungs of those who are primarily between the ages of 20 and 40. It is known to exist in the United States in the Mississippi valley.
The disease gradually infects the lungs and then spreads to other areas of the body. Fever, chills and excessive sweating are signs of the disease. The disease then progresses to produce small bumps on other areas of the body. Without proper medical treatment this disease can eventually lead to death.
Coccidioidmycosis is a disease that begins as a mild infection of the lungs but can progress into a fatal fungal infection that can progress to other areas of the body. It is caused by exposure to spores living in the soil in North, South and Central America. Compromised immune systems make individuals more susceptible to Coccidioidmycosis infection. People with aids, cancer, kidney disease or other diseases that weaken the immune system are at higher risk of developing the infection.
Treatment of Coccidioidmycosis consists of interveneous amphotericin-B or oral fluconazole. The doctor may need to take blood samples to determine if Coccidioidmycosis is present and the severity of infection.
Fungal infections can sometimes be fatal. If you are suffering from a severe fungal infection see your doctor. Timely treatment of fungal infections is important to prevent serious damage to organs or even death.
