A fungal culture test is a gold standard when it comes to diagnosing a fungal infection.
There are millions of types of fungi, but only certain varieties can cause infections in people.
Fungi can include molds and yeasts, many of which occur naturally in and on the human body.
Mr. Yu / Getty
Mr. Yu / Getty
What Are Fungal Infections?
There are many types of fungi, including molds, yeasts, and even mushrooms.
These are the most common types of fungal infections.
These infections can be serious and even life-threatening.
Certain types of fungi release tiny spores that are released into the air.
If you breathe in these spores, fungal infections can settle into your lungs, causing problems likefungal pneumonia.
This is a common complication for people living with HIV/AIDS.
A sample of fluid or tissue is placed on this material, which offers ideal growing conditions.
Why Do I Need a Fungal Culture Test?
Some fungal infections can be treated with over-the-counter powders, creams, and ointments.
These infections tend to be more serious, especially for people withweakened immune systems.
Do Home Tests Work?
Risks and Side Effects
Risks and side effects from fungal cultures are minimal.
A culture uses a sample of cells or tissue to look for fungal growth.
This test can help your healthcare provider identify the specific throw in of fungus that is causing your infection.
Fungal cultures are not very invasive, and there are few risks to worry about.
Having this test done can help your healthcare provider tailor your treatment to help you get relief faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on what punch in of culture is being done.
Fungal cultures are the gold standard when it comes to diagnosing fungal infections.
How your fungal culture is done will depend on where you are having symptoms of a fungal infection.
Blood testing may also be done to help diagnose systemic infections.
The specimen used for a fungal culture is essentially a sampling of cells from the affected area.
This can be skin, nails, and even bodily fluids.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumocystispneumonia.
CLSI.Detection and culture of fungi in clinical specimens.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors for fungal diseases.
Carolus H, Van Dyck K, Van Dijck P.Candida albicansandStaphylococcusspecies: a threatening twosome.Front.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Blastomycosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Aspergillosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Histoplasmosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Valley fever.
