Types of Fungal Diseases | Fungal Diseases | CDC

Types of Fungal Diseases | Fungal Diseases | CDC

Types of Fungal Diseases

Learn about fungal diseases to keep yourself safe and healthy.

Most common fungal diseases

Fungal nail infections

Common infections of the fingernails or toenails.

Vaginal candidiasis

Caused by the yeast Candida, also called a “vaginal yeast infection.”

Ringworm

A common fungal skin infection that often looks like a circular rash.

Candida infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus

Caused by the yeast Candida, also called “thrush.

Fungal diseases that affect people who live in or travel to certain areas

Blastomycosis

Caused by the fungus Blastomyces, which lives in moist soil in parts of the United States and Canada.

Cryptococcus gattii infection

Caused by Cryptococcus gattii, which lives in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world, the United States Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia.

Paracoccidioidomycosis

Caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides, which lives in parts of Central and South America and most often affects men who work outdoors in rural areas.

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

Caused by Coccidioides, which lives in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America.

Histoplasmosis

Caused by the fungus Histoplasma, which lives in the environment, often in association with large amounts of bird or bat droppings.

Fungal diseases that affect people with weakened immune systems

Weakened immune systems can’t fight off infections as well, due to conditions such as HIV, cancer, organ transplants, or certain medications.

Aspergillosis

An infection caused by Aspergillus, a common mold that lives indoors and outdoors.

Candida auris infection

Emerging, often multidrug-resistant fungus found in healthcare settings that presents a serious global health threat.

Invasive candidiasis

A serious infection that can affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, and other parts of the body in hospitalized patients.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)

A serious infection caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Candidiasis

Candida normally lives inside the body and on the skin without causing any problems, but can cause infections if it grows out of control or if it enters deep into the body.

Cryptococcus neoformans infection

Can infect the brain, causing meningitis, and is more likely to affect people with HIV/AIDS.

Mucormycosis

A rare but serious infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes.

Talaromycosis

Caused by Taloromyces, a fungus that lives in Southeast Asia, southern China, or eastern India.

Other diseases and health problems caused by fungi

Fungal eye infections

Rare infections that can develop after an eye injury or after eye surgery.

Sporotrichosis

Caused by the fungus Sporothrix, which lives throughout the world in soil and on plants.

Mycetoma

Caused by certain types of bacteria and fungi found in soil and water, typically in rural regions of Africa, Latin America, and Asia.