Major Risk Factors for Invasive Fungal Infections: Invasive fungal infections are a group of pathogen microorganisms that attack the human body and impair the immune system. Around 1.5 million species were discovered but only 300 species were known to cause alarming diseases.
Fungi are ubiquitous in the community and these microorganisms spread rapidly through penetration, ingestion, and inhalation. When the fungal infections enter the body, the immune system will be compromised. The fungi will start to spread widely in the tissues and run through the bloodstream. If not treated immediately, these fungi will cause severe infections and complications to the various internal organs.
Major Risk Factors for Invasive Fungal Infections
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According to the Contagion Live News, there’s an outbreak phenomenon occurred during the year 2018. Based on their information, they have ranked the infectious diseases from acute flaccid myelitis, listeria, cholera, Cyclospora, Measles, Ebola, Hepatitis, and E. coli. These infectious diseases happened in different countries worldwide.
In the succeeding discussions, we will converse about the causes of these invasive fungal infections and how we will be going to treat this condition.
What are the diseases associated with the infection?
1. Leukemia / Lymphoma / Myeloma
A patient who’s suffering from hematological cancer can be prone to infection because of the chemotherapy sessions and other cancer therapy procedures. The affected organ varies from these three cancer diseases. In Leukmia, it refers to cancer found in the blood or bone marrow. A patient with leukemia has an abnormal production of its white blood cells. While the Lymphoma, it is cancer in the blood that affects the lymphatic system. On the other hand, myeloma pertains to cancer in the plasma cells.
Also read: Ways to cure cancer
Now, how do these cancers associate with infectious diseases? Well, it goes like this. The body cannot produce monocytes and neutrophils (kinds of white blood cells). Thereafter, it will be defenseless against the invasion of the bacteria and viruses. At this point, the pathogens will start to penetrate and destroy the immune system.
Furthermore, chemotherapy has the tendency to cause damage in the intestine linings and mouth. In this case, it will be easier for the bacteria to penetrate in the internal organs.
Also read: Sign of Gut Bacteria
2. Extensive Burns
Survivors of the thermal injuries could leave a seriously traumatic experience for most patients. In this condition, the patient will be suffering both from internal and external damages. It can affect the nervous system, trigger infections, and cause external damage to the skin.
How does the infection relate to burns? It happens when the chemicals released in the body due to the immune system’s defense mechanism. These chemicals will run through the bloodstream. Thus, it causes fever, breathing difficulties, infections, fast heart rate, and blood clotting to the body.
3. Diabetes
Diabetic patients are highly susceptible to infections because the high blood sugar levels weaken the immune system. With this regard, the body will experience ailments such as reduce blood flow and nerve damage. In this extreme situation, the patient may be vulnerable to infections and other associated diseases.
4. Sepsis
Sepsis occurs when the immune system releases chemicals to fight any invasive pathogens. However, this happens when the patient is already experiencing a life and death situation or if there’s organ failure. It is the full mode defense mechanism of the immune system.
The common examples of the severe conditions are malnutrition, extensive burns, abdominal traumas, HIV, AIDS, and other intense conditions. When the sepsis activated, the immune system releases chemicals and it may weaken the body until it will be prone to infections.
5. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Even now, AIDS has still no treatments nor major surgery to totally cure it. However, there are several treatments that may reduce its impact on health. There are also some HIV survivors but these circumstances are just rare in history.
In this condition, the carrier’s immune system will be eventually destroyed by the human immunodeficiency virus. The transmission of this virus was through the transfer of the fluids such as sexual intercourses and breast milk. This infectious disease was highly contagious and life-threatening if not treated immediately.
If you are a carrier of this disease, do not think twice and consult for a medical professional near you.
6. Neutropenia
An abnormal presence of the neutrophils in the blood is called neutropenia. This condition occurs when the patient’s white blood cells are decreasing and infected with pathogens.
The Hematopoietic precursor and endothelial cells are being infested with fungal microorganisms and the anti-neutrophil bodies will develop. The immune system of the person will be exposed to pathogens in which this may lead to an infection.
How to manage invasive fungal infection?
The best advice is to consult with your physician, complete your diagnosis, and get the lab procedures done. Work out with your health and perform the basic healthy lifestyle. Do not just depend on the doctor’s prescriptions and medical procedures. You also need to boost your immunity and monitor your health.
Make an appointment to the best doctor and specialist by visiting xpertdox. You can use their database to find the nearest doctor to your place, check their medical licenses, and experience in their medical field. As a patient, you’ll need to prepare yourself from any major surgeries, bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant, and other operations if necessary.
