Systemic fungal infections
Potentially deadly conditions that affect millions of people worldwide
Systemic fungal infections, also known as systemic mycoses, are serious infections that affect multiple organs and tissues in the body. Unlike superficial fungal infections that affect the skin, hair, or nails, systemic fungal infections can impact vital organs such as the lungs, liver, brain, and heart.
Risk Factors
Systemic fungal infections are more likely to occur in individuals with weakened immune systems. This includes people with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and those taking immunosuppressive medications. Other risk factors include prolonged hospital stays, especially in intensive care units, and the use of medical devices like catheters.
Symptoms
The symptoms of systemic fungal infections vary depending on the organs affected but can include:
- Fever and chills
- Cough and chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Headache and confusion
- Skin lesions
- Abdominal pain
According to The Lancet, fungal infections affect more than a billion people each year, resulting in approximately 11.5 million life-threatening infections and more than 1.5 million deaths annually.
