2024-02-03 14:10:42
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Systemic fungal infections are difficult to diagnose, potentially fatal and are increasing worldwide, a recent study from England shows.
They are actually harmless inhabitants of our body: fungi like Candida albicans. If they multiply excessively, they can become dangerous pathogens. Loud Federal Ministry of Education and Research More than a billion people worldwide become infected with a fungal infection every year. Four million die from it, a recent study shows. That is significantly more than ten years ago. Fungal infections are responsible for seven percent of deaths worldwide.
Fungal infections are particularly dangerous if you have previous illnesses
Candida is actually a harmless yeast fungus. If it multiplies excessively, it can cause various diseases (symbolic image). © agefotostock/Imago
Fungi live on our mucous membranes and are part of our intestinal microbiome. They are harmless to healthy people. However, if the immune system is weakened, for example due to antibiotic treatment or diseases such as diabetes or HIV, our skin and intestinal flora change and the fungi multiply excessively. Inflammations on the skin, mucous membranes, genital area or even in the mouth can occur. During serious procedures such as operations, chemotherapy or organ transplants, the fungi can also attack internal organs via the blood. There is then a risk of blood poisoning (sepsis), which can be fatal.
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Scientist Prof David W. Denning from the University of Manchester analyzed data from 2019 to 2023 and more than 120 countries and found that fungal infections are still underestimated. According to his study, significantly more people have died from a fungal infection in recent years than current estimates indicate. Denning estimates 6.5 million invasive fungal infections and 3.8 million deaths. The most common clinical pictures were:
- Fungal infection of the lungs (pulmonary aspergillosis)
- Bloodstream infection with Candida Auris
- fungal pneumonia (Pneumocystis pneumonia)
- Fungal infection of the brain (cryptococcal meningitis)
- Fungal asthma (allergic reaction of the lungs to a fungus)
Denning urges us to take fungi seriously as pathogens and to work on better methods for diagnosing fungal infections in the future. Because these often remain unrecognized. However, an early diagnosis is particularly important for successful treatment.
What are the symptoms of a fungal infection?
In the case of fungal infections, a distinction is made between superficial infections of the skin, mucous membranes, toenails and fingernails and systemic fungal infections of the internal organs. Although superficial fungal infections are unpleasant, they are usually not threatening and can be treated with medication. They are relatively common worldwide and usually present with inflammatory, reddish discoloration of the skin or flaky skin, itching, blistering and hair loss.
In Europe, however, systemic fungal diseases almost exclusively affect people with weakened immune systems Robert Koch Institute (RKI) informed. They are a serious illness. The first signs can be fever and a significant deterioration in general condition, cough, shortness of breath, circulatory problems and even respiratory and circulatory failure.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.
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