health

Tinea (TIH-nee-uh) is a general term given to a group of superficial fungal
infections that affect the nails, feet (athlete’s foot), groin area (jock itch),
scalp, or skin (ringworm). Trichophyton and Microsporum fungi cause these
related infections. Ringworm is identified by a red, scaly patch on the skin
that looks like an expanding ring around a clearing center. Symptoms of
athlete’s foot include redness and cracking of the skin between the toes,
and infected nails on the hands or feet usually look white and appear to
be crumbling.
Candidiasis (kan-dih-DYE-uh-sis) is a superficial fungal infection
caused by various strains of Candida (CAN-dih-duh) fungi. Candida is a
yeast-like fungus often found in the mouth and the lining of the intestinal
tract of healthy people. In people with weak immune systems, however, it
can grow out of control, leading to an infection. A Candida infection of
the mouth and throat is known as oropharyngeal (or-oh-fair-in-JEE-ul)
candidiasis (OPC) or thrush, and infection of the vagina is known as
vulvovaginal (vul-vo-VAH-jih-nul) candidiasis (VVC) or vaginal yeast
infection. OPC can affect newborns, people with AIDS or diabetes, and
other people with weak immune systems. Its symptoms include white,
thick patches on the tongue, mouth, and throat. Candida infection commonly
occurs in newborns in the form of thrush or diaper rash. VVC is
associated with vaginal burning or itching and a thick, cheese-like discharge.
In certain situations, Candida can enter the bloodstream and
spread to internal organs. These cases are seen most frequently in hospitalized
patients who have weak immune systems and have received powerful
antibiotics for other conditions.
Aspergillosis (as-per-jih-LO-sis) is the name for a variety of systemic
infections caused by Aspergillus (as-per-JIH-lus) fungi. If it is inhaled
through the mouth or nose, the fungus can cause a mild allergic reaction
or a more serious infection of the sinuses and lungs. Symptoms of
aspergillosis vary and may include fever, cough, chest pain, and wheezing.
In severe cases, typically seen in people with weak immune systems,
the infection can spread to other organs, including the brain, skin, and
bones.
Blastomycosis (blas-toh-my-KO-sis) is a systemic infection caused by
the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus commonly found in soil in the southeast,
midwest, and south-central United States. The disease’s symptoms
resemble those of the flu: joint and muscle pain, a cough that brings
up sputum, fever, chills, and chest pain. If it progresses, it can lead to
chronic pulmonary infection, causing permanent lung damage, or widespread
disease that affects the bones, skin, and genital and urinary tracts.
Blastomycosis leads to death in about 5 percent of patients.
Coccidioidomycosis (kok-sih-dee-oyd-o-my-KO-sis) is a systemic
infection caused by Coccidioides immitis, a fungus found in soil in the
southwestern United States, in Mexico, and in South America. Most
people with coccidioidomycosis have no symptoms, but 40 percent of
patients experience a flu-like illness, with fever, rash, muscle aches, and
cough. Also known as valley fever, the infection can cause pneumonia
or widespread disease affecting the skin, bones, and meninges, which are
the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Cryptococcosis (krip-toh-kah-KO-sis) is a systemic infection caused
by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, usually found in soil or bird
droppings. Typically, the fungus enters the body through the mouth or
nostrils when someone inhales fungi spores, and symptoms of a lung
infection, such as cough and chest pain, may develop. Although infection
with Cryptococcus usually produces no symptoms or only mild symptoms
in healthy people, the infection may spread in people who have weak
immune systems. If it spreads to the central nervous system, it can cause
inflammation of the meninges. This complication is especially common
among people with AIDS.
Histoplasmosis (his-toh-plaz-MO-sis) is usually a mild systemic infection
caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus is found in the eastern
and central United States in soil that contains bird and bat feces. When
the soil is disturbed, the fungal spores may be inhaled. Histoplasmosis can
cause flu-like symptoms, including body aches, fever, and cough. Most
people who become infected do not experience symptoms, but as with
other fungal infections, people with weak immune systems are at risk
for severe disease. In those cases, the infection affects the lungs and may
spread to the liver, spleen, bones, and brain.
Mucormycosis (mu-cor-my-KO-sis) is caused by a fungus found on
decaying plants. Most people do not get sick from exposure to this fungus.
However, people with weakened immune systems or uncontrolled
diabetes are susceptible to becoming sick. Mucormycosis often starts with
a sinus infection. Infection then spreads to the brain and sometimes to
the lungs, skin, digestive system, and kidneys. The death rate for this
fungal infection ranges from 30 to 70 percent, depending on where the
infection is located.
Sporotrichosis (spo-ro-trih-KO-sis) is a skin infection caused by the
Sporothrix schenckii fungus, which is found in soil, thorny plants, hay,
sphagnum (SFAG-num) moss, and other plant materials. It enters the
skin through a small cut or puncture, such as a thorn might make. Soon,
small reddish bumps resembling boils form around the cut and often
ulcerate. In some cases, infection can spread to other parts of the body,
such as the lungs or joints.