4 Deadly Fungal Infections You Probably Never Heard Of
In case you need something else to worry about right now, we’d like to remind you that the coronavirus is not the only deadly bug out there. There are certain infections caused by fungi that can also make you very sick and even claim your life.
However, most fungi are not dangerous to human health. The infections we are going to cover are relatively rare, so read on in the spirit of being prepared for anything that might come your way. It can be helpful to recognize the signs of problematic infections that aren’t covid-19.
1. Candida auris
This fungus is currently being watched by the CDC because it is both easily transmissible and very difficult to treat. Candida auris survives for months on skin (though that’s a long time to go without a bath!) and lives on many hard surfaces for weeks. Because of this, it spreads very easily in healthcare settings.
Candida auris is a type of yeast first seen in 2009, and since then has been reported in more than a dozen countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. This fungus is particularly troublesome because some strains of it are resistant to all three major classes of antifungal drugs.
Infections primarily affect the blood, brain, eyes, heart, and bones, but can spread to other parts of the body. It can be hard to identify because many sufferers are already in the hospital for other reasons. Typically Candida auris symptoms include a fever and chills that won’t go away, even after treatment with antibiotics.
Currently, about 60% of people who contract Candida auris die from the infection. Those at greatest risk have underlying conditions or have been hospitalized for a long time. A small number of people infected with the organism will not become ill.
2. Fungal meningitis
Meningitis is a deadly infection that attacks the spinal cord, and there are four types: bacterial, viral, chemical, and fungal. Thankfully, fungal meningitis is rare and not extremely contagious. The spores can be inhaled in the air or from infected soil, and the infection spreads through the bloodstream to the spinal cord.
Meningitis causes inflammation of the spinal cord lining and the brain. The symptoms are stiff neck, headache, fever, light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, weakness, and numbness. Without treatment, the sufferer is likely to lapse into a coma. Other complications include blood clots and bleeding issues as well as difficulty speaking and balance problems.
Treatment typically involves intravenously administered anti-fungal medications. Unlike bacterial meningitis, the fungal version can take a month or more to successfully cure.
As with most infections, people with underlying conditions are most susceptible. Use of steroidal drugs and common medications for autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can also lower immune response to this fungus.
3. Pneumocystis pneumonia
Another fungal infection that primarily attacks people with underlying conditions is Pneumocystis pneumonia, or PCP. Caused by a fungus called Pneumocystis jirovecii, PCP infections usually spread through the air.
With PCP, you may experience fever, cough, labored breathing, chills, and fatigue. Symptoms tend to develop over a few days. However, it is possible to carry the fungus and not become ill. In these cases, the body’s immune system fights off and eliminates the fungus over time.
The disease is very rare in healthy people, but can be devastating to those who have conditions like HIV/AIDS or a blood cancer. Folks who have had an organ transplant or suffer from an inflammatory or autoimmune disorder are also in the high risk group for PCP.
There are medications available to treat PCP, and people at greater risk may be put on a preventative course to lower the risk of contracting this opportunistic infection. Without treatment, PCP can lead to death.
4. Mucormycosis
Mucormycosis is a relatively rare fungal infection that can be picked up from several environmental sources. Soil, compost piles, rotting wood, and leaf piles are common culprits. Mucormycosis spores can be inhaled or enter the body through a cut or sore.
The infections are classified based on the part of the body they primarily affect: the rhinocerebral type damages the brain and sinus cavity; pulmonary infects the lungs; gastrointestinal lives in the stomach and intestines; and cutaneous infects the skin. Another type is disseminated, in which the infection has spread throughout the body.
Symptoms of mucormycosis vary significantly across the different types, making it challenging to pin down. It’s important to notice when your symptoms seem localized to a particular area. For example, the rhinocerebral version may cause swelling on one side of the face or black lesions inside the mouth.
Treatment is done with standard antifungal medications, but may also require removal of dead tissue. Mucormycosis is a serious infection with an overall mortality rate of 54%. Sadly, for the disseminated type, the death rate soars to 96%.
The good news is that none of these fungal infections are extremely common. However, some are quite contagious and all can cause death in immune-compromised individuals. Since the global community is already being extremely careful with hand washing and avoiding unnecessary contact with our environment, we’re on the right track already to diminish the incidence of these fungal diseases
