Fungal infections are among the most common types that can affect human beings.

They can occur in all genders and at any age.

Fungi are germs that exist all around the environment.

They are very useful in a non-medical sense - such as yeast used in fermentation of sugars to yield alcohol; or for baking bread.

Some are also popular edible (and inedible) plants - Mushrooms.

In the human body, different types of fungi can cause various infections and affect different organs including the skin, nails, tongue or reproductive organs.

Certain fungi live naturally on the human skin in a symbiotic relationship, and do not cause any harm usually.

They become a concern only if the individual's immune system is weak and they overgrow, causing infection.

Some common fungi that cause human infection are:

• Yeasts like: Candida albicans and Malassezia furfur; or Dermatophytes like: Trichophyton or Microsporum.

Common Fungal Infections

Click here to read about fungal infections which could affect adults and children; as well as the usual symptoms they present with.