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List of 26 Diseases Caused by Fungi

What are Fungal Diseases?

What are the Causes of Diseases Caused by Fungi?

26 Diseases Caused by Fungi

Signs and Symptoms of Diseases Caused by Fungi

The diseases caused by fungi have their individual signs and symptoms. The symptoms of different fungal diseases are given in the table below:

Diseases Caused by Fungi Symptoms of Diseases Caused by Fungi
Fungal Nail Infections Discoloured (brown, white, yellow), thick, fragile or cracked nail
Vaginal Candidiasis Itching or soreness in the vaginal area, pain/discomfort when urinating, unusual vaginal discharge, pain during sexual intercourse
Candida Infections of the Mouth, Throat, and Oesophagus White patches on the tongue, the roof of the mouth, throat and inner cheeks, pain when eating or swallowing, cracking and redness at the corners of the mouth, loss of taste, redness or soreness
Ring Worms Ring-shaped rash, itchy skin, hair loss, red, scaly, cracked skin
Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP) Fever, fatigue, chills, difficulty breathing, chest pain, cough
Invasive Candidiasis Fever, chills (people suffering from invasive candidiasis are usually sick; hence, it is difficult to diagnose specific symptoms)
Aspergillosis Wheezing, fever (in rare cases), cough, coughing up blood, headache, decreased ability to smell, stuffiness, runny nose, weight loss, fatigue
Talaromycosis Fever, cough, swollen lymph nodes, troubling breathing, swelling of the liver and spleen, diarrhoea, general discomfort, weight loss, abdominal pain
Candida Auris Infection Fever, chills, tiredness, pain, redness and swelling, fluid leakage (if there's a site of incision)
Cryptococcus Neoformans Infection Cough, chest pain, fever, shortness of breath, headache, confusion or changes in behaviour, nausea and vomiting, fever, neck pain, sensitivity to light
Mucormycosis Nasal congestion, chest pain, shortness of breath, black lesions on the nasal bridge or upper inside of the mouth that quickly become more severe, fever, cough, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, one-sided facial swelling, headache, gastrointestinal bleeding
Blastomycosis Fever, muscle aches or joint pain, weight loss, chest pain, cough, night sweats, fatigue
Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) Cough, fever, rash on upper body or legs, fatigue, shortness of breath, headache, night sweats
Histoplasmosis Fever, chest pain, chills, headache, cough, fatigue, body aches
Cryptococcus Gattii Infection Cough, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, headache, confusion or changes in behaviour, neck pain
Paracoccidioidomycosis Swollen lymph nodes, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, lesions in the mouth and throat, weight loss, enlarged liver and spleen
Fungal Eye Infections Eye pain, excessive tearing, blurred vision, eye redness, sensitivity to light, discharge from the eyes
Mycetoma It starts with a painless lump under the skin, grows to open infection, and leads to small 'grains' that contain fungal spores
Sporotrichosis Lump under the skin, slowly progressing to a larger bump (almost like an ulcer), joint pain, cough, shortness of breath, fever, chest pain.

Damages Caused by Fungi in Humans

Risk Factors Associated With Diseases Caused by Fungi

How are Diseases Caused by Fungi Diagnosed?

There are various methods to diagnose and identify the diseases that are caused by fungi. Below is a table which shows how these infections are diagnosed:

Diagnostic Test Description
Clinical Examination Microscopic examination of clinical samples (scraping of scaling pieces of the affected area, i.e. skin/nails). The medical history and consideration of risks guides further testing.
Microscopic Examination Molecular diagnostics and antigen detection in clinical samples. These samples must be cleared with KOH (potassium hydroxide) to make them more visible and show fungi.
Culture This involves growing must specimens on special media to identify the organism in question through culturing. The organisms are confirmed as fungi by this means.
Histopathology Through microscopic studies, fungal elements can be detected within tissue samples from tissue biopsies. Microorganisms can also be dyed to distinguish fungi from them.
Serology and Blood test This kind of test uses the blood to identify antigens or antibodies produced as a response to specific fungal infections and is used to diagnose systemic fungal infections.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) PCR investigations, availing which clinical specimens are tested for detecting fungi DNA or RNA in them, can be applied to quickly identify pathogenic fungi species.
Imaging Studies X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are utilised to show the extent of internal organ infection due to fungus and other associated complications, such as abscesses or organ damage.

Treatment Methods for Fungal Diseases

When diagnosed with fungal disease, doctors might prescribe some topical antifungal ointments, antiseptic mouthwash and medication depending on the type of fungal disease.

Treatment Method Description
Topical Treatments Topical antifungal creams, ointments or powders are used to treat superficial fungal infections by applying them directly onto the skin, nails or mucous membranes affected by the disease.
Surgical Intervention In case of deep or systemic fungal infections, surgery is recommended as a last resort for removing infected tissue/ abscesses that do not respond to antifungal drugs only.
Supportive Care Supporting health includes managing symptoms and complications as well as the overall health of the patient. It might consist of hydration therapy and pain management measures.
Immune System Support Treatment of such patients is aimed at enhancing their body's ability to fight diseases by boosting immune response and managing conditions that facilitate vulnerability to fungal attacks.
Long-term Therapy Long-standing or recurrent cases of severe fungal infections may involve prolonged courses of antifungal treatment followed up with regular assessments for efficacy.

What Are the Preventive Measures to Control Fungal Diseases?

Does Health Insurance Cover Fungal Diseases?

FAQs on the Diseases Caused by Fungi