According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 300 different types of fungi that are known to make people sick. “Fungal infections are often caused by microscopic fungi that are common in the environment. Fungi live outdoors in soil and on plants and trees as well as on many indoor surfaces and on human skin.” Some types of fungal infections, such as skin infections like ringworm, are very common. Fungal infections in the lungs can be very serious.
The CDC has listed ten questions to ask yourself that will help you understand your chances of getting a fungal infection:
- Where do you live and travel?
- What types of activities are you doing?
- Do you have a dog or cat?
- Have you recently taken antibiotics?
- Are you taking any medications that affect your immune system?
- Are you living with HIV/AIDS?
- Will you be hospitalized?
- Have you recently had a transplant?
- Are you receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments?
- Do you have symptoms of pneumonia that are not getting better with antibiotics?
To understand the relevance of each question and learn more about fungal infections, click on this link: Fungal Infections – Protect Your Health