Fungal Infections Summary If you have ever had athlete’s foot or a yeast infection, you can blame a fungus. A fungus is a primitive organism. Mushrooms, mold and mildew are examples. Fungi live in air, in soil, on plants and in water. Some live in the human body. Only about half of all types of fungi are harmful. Some fungi reproduce through tiny spores in the air. You can inhale the spores or they can land on you. As a result, fungal infections often start in the lungs or on the skin. You are more likely to get a fungal infection if you have a weakened immune system or take antibiotics. Fungi can be difficult to kill. For skin and nail infections, you can apply medicine directly to the infected area. Oral antifungal medicines are also available for serious infections. NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Array Blastomycosis Cryptococcosis Fungal nail infection Mucormycosis Sputum fungal smear Tinea versicolor Specifics Blastomycosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Blastomycosis American Thoracic Society Cryptococcosis (C. gattii) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cryptococcosis (C. neoformans) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fungal Diseases: Ringworm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fungal Keratitis American Academy of Ophthalmology Fungal Meningitis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fungal Sinusitis American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Mucormycosis (Zygomycosis) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nail Fungal Infections American Academy of Family Physicians Nail Fungus Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Sporotrichosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tinea Versicolor American Academy of Dermatology Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis) American Podiatric Medical Association Diagnosis and Tests Blood Culture Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Fungal Tests American Association for Clinical Chemistry Skin Rashes and Other Changes American Academy of Family Physicians Related Issues Cancer Patients and Fungal Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fungal Diseases Outbreaks Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Hospitalized Patients and Fungal Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Medications that Weaken Your Immune System and Fungal Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Microbes Can Cause Different Kinds of Infections National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Organ Transplant Patients and Fungal Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Stem Cell Transplant Patients and Fungal Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Histoplasmosis National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Mycoses National Institutes of Health Encyclopedia Fungal arthritis Hypersensitivity pneumonitis Lymph node culture Skin lesion of blastomycosis Sporotrichosis Synovial biopsy Start Here Fungal Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Understanding Microbes in Sickness and in Health National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Children Fungal Diseases American Academy of Pediatrics Fungal Infections Nemours Foundation Images Fungal Nail Infection (Onychomycosis) Logical Images Tinea Versicolor Logical Images Prevention and Risk Factors Fungus Infections: Preventing Recurrence American Osteopathic College of Dermatology Who Gets Fungal Infections? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles Fungal infections
