Anna Hartz
The World Is Facing a New Health Threat from Fungi
A silent threat is spreading across the world. This time, it’s not a virus or bacteria, but a group of microscopic fungi.
They live in the air, on our skin, in soil, and even in household dust. Fungal infections are infecting millions and killing more people than many realize, according to Digi24.
The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm, warning that some fungal species are becoming much harder to treat.
Unlike bacteria, which can be killed by a wide range of antibiotics, there are very few antifungal drugs available. Only 17 exist, and some are extremely toxic.
Developing antifungal drugs is difficult. Fungi share many biological traits with humans, so the drugs that kill them can also damage our own cells.
Dr. Neil Clancy, a fungal expert, explained that some treatments can harm the kidneys and lead to organ failure.
Torrence Irvin knows how dangerous a fungal infection can be. He believes he inhaled spores from the Coccidioides fungus in 2018 while relaxing in his backyard in California.
At first, it felt like a bad flu. Then his weight dropped dramatically, and his health collapsed.
His doctors eventually told his wife there was nothing more they could do. “I still remember her crying,” Irvin said.
Another man, Rob Purdie, got infected while gardening in Bakersfield. The fungus spread to his brain, causing fungal meningitis.
He now has to take an old drug with toxic side effects to stay alive. “It slowly poisons me,” he said.
Doctors are struggling to understand why some people can’t fight off these infections, even when they’re otherwise healthy.
Dr. George Thompson believes that finding out what’s different in these patients’ immune systems could help save lives.
The WHO has released a list of the most dangerous fungi. The top three are Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida auris.
These fungi can be deadly, especially in people with weak immune systems.
Irvin, now recovering with the help of a new drug, wants others to take symptoms seriously. “Health is wealth,” he said. “Listen to your body. Don’t wait.”