Deadly Fungi on the Rise: Why You to Know About this Silent Health Crisis

Fungal infections, or mycosis, are diseases caused by a fungus (yeast or mold). They are most commonly found on skin or nails, but can also cause infections in the mouth, throat, lungs, urinary tract and many other parts of the body.

Fungi might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about climate change, but according to clinical biologist Katrien Lagrou (UZ Leuven), they are becoming a serious health threat. She shares that while Aspergillus fumigatus has long been present in the air, climate change could drive its concentration higher. It loves warmth and humidity.

Fungal infections are rising especially among people with weakened immune systems, like those undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplants. Healthy individuals usually fend off fungi like Aspergillus fumigatus without issue. However vulnerable patients can develop severe, even deadly, lung infections. Early detection is crucial as fungal infections are often mistaken for bacterial illnesses and can lead to delayed or ineffective treatment.

The signs and symptoms of Aspergillosis vary. For example some people with asthma or cystic fibrosis have an allergic reaction to aspergillus mold. Signs and symptoms of this condition, known as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, include:

Fever

A cough that may bring up blood or plugs of mucus

Worsening asthma

While those with chronic lung (pulmonary) conditions, such as emphysema, tuberculosis or advanced sarcoidosis, can cause air spaces (cavities) to form in the lungs. When people with lung cavities are also infected with aspergillus, fungus fibers may find their way into the cavities and grow into tangled masses (fungus balls) known as aspergillomas.

Aspergillomas may produce no symptoms or cause only a mild cough at first. Over time and without treatment, however, aspergillomas can worsen the underlying chronic lung condition and possibly cause:

A cough that often brings up blood (hemoptysis)

Wheezing

Shortness of breath

Unintentional weight loss

Fatigue

Invasive aspergillosis is the most severe form of aspergillosis. It occurs when the infection spreads rapidly from the lungs to the brain, heart, kidneys, or skin. Invasive aspergillosis occurs only in people whose immune systems are weakened because of cancer chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation or a disease of the immune system. Untreated, this form of aspergillosis may be fatal.

Signs and symptoms of invasive aspergillosis depend on which organs are affected, but it generally causes:

Fever and chills

A cough that brings up blood (hemoptysis)

Shortness of breath

Chest or joint pain

Headaches or eye symptoms

Skin lesions

Other types of aspergillosis can invade areas of your body other than your lungs, such as your sinuses. In your sinuses, the fungus can cause a stuffy nose sometimes accompanied by drainage that may contain blood. Fever, facial pain and headaches may also occur.

Since fever is a common symptom, it is important to take regular temperature checks. The Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer is an ideal choice for this purpose. Just swipe the sensor head of the thermometer across your forehead by gently touching it, to get a perfect reading. It offers accurate readings in seconds, making it simple to use multiple times a day. Quick and precise feedback ensures that you can detect any changes in your temperature promptly, enabling early intervention if needed.

Despite growing concerns, fungal infections receive little attention and resources, leading to a scarcity of quality data on fungal disease distribution and antifungal resistance patterns. As a result, the exact burden of fungal diseases and antifungal resistance are unknown. To increase awareness the WHO has begun prioritizing fungal threats and exploring better testing and treatment strategies.

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