Fungal infection is a disease caused by fungi. This disease can be experienced by anyone. However, individuals with weak immune systems are more at risk of developing fungal infections. For example, people with HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy patients, and post-organ transplant patients.
Fungi are organisms that can live naturally in soil or plants. Even fungi can live on human skin. Although normally harmless, some molds can cause serious health problems.
Symptoms of Fungal Infection
Symptoms of a yeast infection vary widely, depending on the part of the body that is infected, including:
- Red or purple spots on the skin
- Skin rash appears
- Cracked skin
- Blisters or pus
- Itchy rash
- Pain in the infected area
- Swelling in the infected area
- Cough with blood or mucus
- Hard to breathe
- Fever
- Blurred vision
- Red eyes and sensitive to light
- Excessive tears
- Headache
- Nasal congestion
- Nausea and vomiting
Causes of Fungal Infection
The cause of fungal infections or mycoses depends on the type of infection itself. Below will be explained several types of fungal infections, their causes, and the accompanying risk factors.
Candidiasis
Candidiasis caused by fungal infection Candida. Under normal conditions, the fungus lives naturally on the surface of the skin. But if its development is not controlled, the fungus will cause infection. One of the causes of the growth of this fungus is the side effect of antibiotics.
Mushroom development Candida An out-of-control condition can be triggered by a number of things, including a lack of personal hygiene, wearing tight clothing, a warm climate, and skin that is damp or not properly dried.
Candida auris infection
As the name suggests, this infection is caused by a fungus Candida auris. Different from mushrooms Candida other, Candida auris resistant to antifungal drugs commonly used to treat candidiasis. In addition, this type of fungus can also cause death in most sufferers.
Candida auris is spread from person to person, through the sharing of contaminated equipment.
Ringworm
Ringworm is caused by a type of fungus that lives in the soil, namely: epidermophyton, microsporum, and trichophyton. A person can be infected by touching soil contaminated with the fungus. Spread can occur between animals to humans, or from humans to humans. If it occurs in the feet, this disease can cause complaints of itchy feet and foot odor.
Nail fungal infection
Nail fungus infection occurs when there is a fungus on the nail that grows uncontrollably. The type of fungus that causes nail fungus infection is the same as the fungus that causes ringworm. This fungal infection can also occur on the hands (tinea manum).
Although it can happen to anyone, the risk of nail fungus infection is higher in people with diabetes, elderly people over 65 years, users of artificial nails, people with nail injuries, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis caused by a combination of a weak immune system and exposure to fungi Aspergillus. This fungus can be found in compost piles, grain heaps, and rotting vegetables.
In addition to individuals with weakened immune systems (eg low white blood cell conditions or taking corticosteroid medications), the risk is: aspergillosis higher in asthmatics or cystic fibrosis.
Fungal eye infection
Fungal eye infection is a rare but serious condition. Fungal eye infections are most often caused by fungi Fusarium living on trees or plants. Mold Fusarium can enter the eye if the eye is accidentally scratched by this part of the plant.
Apart from eye injury, fungal eye infections can occur in patients undergoing cataract surgery or corneal transplantation. In rare cases, fungal eye infections also occur due to the use of eye drops or contact lens cleaning fluid that has been contaminated, as well as treatment with corticosteroid injections in the eye.
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
PCP is caused by a fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii, which spreads through the air. PCP attacks individuals with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS, or in patients undergoing organ transplantation and immunosuppressive drugs.
Cryptococcus neoformans
This infection is caused by a fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. The spores of the fungus can be inhaled accidentally, but do not cause infection. However, individuals with weak immunity are at high risk of being infected with this fungus.
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus histoplasm. This fungus can be found in soil exposed to bird or bat droppings. Infection occurs when fungal spores in the soil are inhaled and enter the respiratory tract.
Anyone can get histoplasmosis. However, these infections are more prone to occur in farmers, ranchers, cave explorers, construction workers, and pest control workers.
Mucormycosis
Mucormycosis caused by inhalation of fungal spores Mucorales accidentally. Infection can also occur when open wounds in the skin are exposed to this fungus.
Mold Mucorales It can be found in leaves, wood, soil, or in compost heaps. However, even though this fungus is found in nature, it does not mean that infection is certain to occur in everyone who is exposed to fungal spores. Infection is more at risk in people with weak immune systems, such as people with cancer and diabetes.
Sporotrichosis
Sporotrichosis caused by fungus Sporothrix most found in soil or plants. Infection occurs when fungal spores enter the body through touch, especially through open wounds on the skin. Although very rare, infection can also occur by inhaling fungal spores by accident.
Some people with certain types of work are more at risk of infection sporotrichosis, for example gardeners, farmers, and patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
Talaromycosis
Talaromycosis caused by fungus Talaromyces marneffei. As with some other types of fungal infections, thalaromycosis generally attacks people with weak immune systems.
Yeast Infection Diagnosis
Doctors can suspect a patient has a yeast infection if there are a number of symptoms that have been described previously. However, the doctor will run several follow-up tests to make sure.
Follow-up tests for fungal infections are carried out by taking samples of blood, urine, pus, or cerebrospinal fluid, depending on the infected organ. The examination method is quite diverse, depending on the type of fungal infection itself. Among others are:
KOH Tes test
In the KOH test, the doctor will take a sample of the patient's infected skin scrapings, then mix it with a KOH (potassium hydroxide) solution. KOH will destroy healthy skin cells, leaving skin cells infected with fungus.
Culture jamur
Fungal culture is done to detect whether there is fungus in the infected area of the body. In this procedure, the doctor will take a sample of the patient's blood, skin, nails, or deep layers of skin for culture in the laboratory.
The sample can also use cerebrospinal fluid if infection of the brain and spine is suspected. In this procedure, a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the patient's brain and spine will be taken, using a lumbar puncture method, which is through the spinal gap in the lower back area.
Gram stain test
This test is done to detect other possible infections, namely bacteria. The Gram stain test is done by taking a sample of the patient's sputum, blood, or urine for examination in the laboratory.
Biopsy
A biopsy is the removal of a tissue sample for analysis under a microscope. The doctor may take samples of the skin, lung, bone marrow, or lymph nodes, depending on the area of infection.
Fungal Infection Treatment
The method of treating a yeast infection depends on the type of infection, its severity, and the part of the body that is infected. In general, patients will be given antifungal drugs.
There are many different types of antifungal drugs used for fungal infections. The form and dosage of drugs, as well as the duration of treatment vary, especially in pregnant women and children. In some cases, antifungal drugs must be given in the hospital. It is advisable to consult a doctor before using this drug.
Antifungal drugs that can be used include:
- Amphotericin
- Clotrimazole
- Griseofulvin
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Miconazole
- Natamycin
- Nystatin
- Terbinafine
- Tioconazole
- Voriconazole
In addition to drugs, doctors can also perform a number of procedures, such as:
Debridement.Debridement This is done by removing damaged or infected body tissue. In addition to preventing the spread of infection, debridement This is done so that healthy tissue can repair itself more quickly.
surgery. In some cases sporotrichosis that infects the lungs, bones, and joints, doctors may perform surgery to remove the infected part of the organ.
Vitrectomy. Vitrectomy is surgery to remove fluid vitreous from inside the eyeball.
Corneal transplant. Corneal transplantation is the act of replacing the patient's cornea with the cornea of a donor. The goal is to improve visual function.
Enucleation. Enucleation is the act of replacing the entire eyeball and the nerves associated with the eyeball.
Fungal Infection Prevention
Fungal infections can be prevented by taking the following steps:
- Keep the skin clean and immediately dry the body when wet.
- Do not share towels, clothes, or personal items.
- Keep toenails short, but not too short.
- Do not use the same nail clipper for infected and non-infected nails.
- Wear footwear in public places.
- Do not scratch the infected skin area.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing or shoes.
- Wear clean clothes for activities.
- Wash clothes immediately after use.
- Change underwear and socks after each activity.
Complications of Fungal Infection
A number of serious complications can arise from untreated yeast infections. These complications depend on the type of fungal infection suffered, including:
- Bleeding in the lungs
- Spread of infection to the brain, heart or kidneys
- Pleural effusion (buildup of fluid in the pleura)
- Pneumothorax (accumulation of air in the pleura)
- Breathing failure
- Pericarditis or inflammation of the sac of the heart
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Meningitis or inflammation of the lining of the brain
- Paralysis
- Seizures