Individuals with weakened immune systems are probably at high risk of developing severe fungal diseases with high mortality rates, while fungal pathogens pose little risk to most healthy people. Some of the best antifungal drugs are available depending on the type of infection/disease.
Fungal infections are responsible for over 1.7 million deaths annually worldwide, around 200,000 more deaths than tuberculosis, a bacterial disease. Yet the immune responses to fungal infections are much less studied than those to bacterial infections. The severity of fungal disease may range from mild to superficial infections to severe or deadly conditions, such as chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (a lung disease) and severe invasive candidiasis (vaginal infection).
Many fungal infections that are mild for most people can be dangerous for others with certain health risk factors. Some specific fungal diseases are only known to affect individuals with weakened immune systems. The immune system is created to fight germs, including fungi, from attacking the body and helps prevent fungal diseases. Individuals suffering from some medical conditions or taking certain medications can have weakened immune systems. Such people are more likely to get infected with fungal infections and have difficulty recovering. But common antifungal drugs like Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, miconazole, vaginal infection cream, etc., are extremely effective at treating different mild to severe skin, nail, and vaginal fungal diseases.
Common risk factors for fungal infections
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- Certain medical conditions that are known to increase the risk of developing fungal diseases include cancer, HIV/AIDS, and chronic lung disease.
- Treatments and medications can also increase risk, such as long-term hospital stays, organ transplants, stem cell transplants, and high doses of antibiotics and corticosteroids.
- Different fungal diseases may have particular risk factors. Some diseases have risk factors unrelated to the immune system, such as age, race, and pregnancy.
Other factors, including where an individual resides, occupation, and care access, impact fungal disease risk. Severe ones are most common in individuals with weakened immune systems. As mentioned above, major risk factors include medical conditions with HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, treatment for the disease that needs immunomodulation (change in the immune system caused by agents that activate or suppress its function) such as stem cell transplantation, or certain genetic defects resulting in immunodeficiency. Inflammatory health conditions, including chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and asthma, also expose patients to fungal infections.
The population at increased risk may include:
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- People with organ transplant: Those who receive organ transplants need to get anti-rejection drugs. These drugs weaken the immune system, so it doesn’t attack the new organ. Transplants that may increase risk include heart, small bowel, liver, and lung transplants.
- People with stem cell transplants: Stem cell transplants may destroy and rebuild the immune system, which is why these types of transplants increase the risk for fungal diseases. People can have stem cell transplants using their cells or cells from a donor. People who get a donor for stem cell transplant are at increased risk of developing fungal infections. Like individuals who get organ transplants, donor stem cell recipients are required to take an anti-rejection drug. Stem cell recipients are also at risk for developing Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), where transplanted stem cells attack the host’s body.
- People with cancer: Chemotherapy and radiation are both important treatments for people with cancer. These treatments are discovered to destroy cancer cells; they can also cause a decline in your blood cell counts. The immune system depends on white blood cells (WBC) to fight against infections. The type of fungal infection and level of risk usually depend on cancer type and chemotherapy treatment.
- People in healthcare settings: Reasons for hospital stay like being sick, receiving invasive therapy (like chemotherapy), and recovering from surgery all weaken the immune system. Patients can be affected by a fungal infection getting into wounds or surgical sites. Medical devices, including ventilators and catheters, can create a passage for fungi to enter the body and cause infections. Invasive candidiasis, mucormycosis, and aspergillosis are common healthcare-associated infections.
Prevention
It is quite possible to prevent exposure to certain fungi in the environment. Fungi may release spores into the air that we breathe.
Following these steps can lower risks:
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- Search out if certain fungal diseases are common in your area. These include histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, or valley fever.
- Avoid exposure to dust; skip visiting places like construction sites or where dust storms occur.
- Wear protective clothing for outdoor activities, including long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
- Frequent hand washing also plays an important role in the life of patients.
Treatment for fungal disease
Antifungal drugs are common treatments for fungal infections. These come in different forms, including pills, creams, gels, vaginal suppositories, and injections. Your healthcare provider will recommend the best antifungal tablet/cream for your condition. The most used drugs include:
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- Clotrimazole cream – This cream treats skin infections. Candid B cream is a well-known vaginal infection cream; it effectively treats candidiasis (vaginal yeast infection). Ask your healthcare specialist for the best cream for fungal infections.
- Miconazole (Micogel 0.02% 15 gm) – It treats ringworm skin infection, tinea cruris, athlete’s foot, and vaginal yeast infection.
- Itraconazole (Itaspor 100 mg) – This is used to treat ringworm infection, feet infection, or the groin and buttocks.
- Ketoconazole – This formulation mainly treats athlete’s foot and yeast infections on skin, hair, nails, and blood.
However, poor therapeutic results and growing antifungal resistance induce further challenges for these treatments.
Conclusion:
Immunity to fungal infections is of interest to many fields, from microbiology to immunology. It is of particular interest in terms of treatment of HIV-infected individuals and patients with cancer or those who have received organ transplants. Certain health conditions, treatments, and medications increase the risk of developing fungal infections and more severe diseases. Environmental factors also impact the risk of exposure to disease-causing fungi. Understanding the function of the immune response to fungi is a challenge that might set the stage for new fungal disease treatment approaches, from immunotherapy to vaccines.
The past few decades have witnessed the development of a wide range of new treatments to improve health. Learn ways to help reduce exposure and to get a healthy life. Speak to a healthcare specialist about the risk to your loved one. Healthcare professionals may prescribe antifungal drugs to people who are at an increased to help prevent fungal diseases. Many fungal disorders are misdiagnosed. If you suspect a fungal infection or are being treated for an infection that is not improving, Ask your healthcare expert about testing and antifungal therapy.