Fungi and Parasites

Covered in today's blog

What are Fungi and Parasites?

Diseases and infections caused by these pathogens

The four most common types of pathogens are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. In our previous blog, we focused on bacteria and viruses and the diseases caused by these pathogens. Today, we will look at two other pathogens, fungi and parasites.

Fungi

You may recognize the term fungi like mushrooms. However, fungi are also known as eukaryotic pathogens that can be easily found indoors and outdoors. There are millions of different fungus but only about 300 are found to cause illnesses. They can cause infections when multiplied and overgrown. Some of these infections are:

Epidermophyton floccosum is often responsible for the condition of the athlete's foot. Unlike the name, not just athletes but anyone can get infected or contract it from another person.

Candida Auris is another type of fungal infection that is becoming popular. This infection is more severe than an athlete’s foot and is fatal. It is mostly contracted within hospitals by sick patients who have weak immune systems.

Parasite

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a parasite is “an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host." The most commonly known parasitic disease is malaria, which kills approximately 660,000 people every year. Other diseases attributed related to parasites are:

Lymphatic filariasis can cause severe swelling which can cause permanent disability.

Onchocerciasis is also known as river blindness. This disease can cause itchiness of skin or visual impairment.

Fungi and parasites are two pathogens that live indoors and outdoors. Although they are not as contagious as bacterial and viral infections, you should be careful at all times.

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