They include mildews, molds, mushrooms, and yeasts. It is easy to think of the mushroom as a typical fungus. Fungus diseases, however, result from damage to bodily tissue inflicted by the action of simple single-celled creatures that are somewhat like bacteria in size and function. Causes Funguses can produce illnesses in the same way that bacteria do, either by using parts of attacking cells for nutrients or by releasing toxins. Typically, however, funguses spread by means of spores or budding instead of by rapid cell division as bacteria do.
Some funguses cause allergic reactions rather than infections.
Bacteria normally present in the body help protect against fungus diseases. Usually when the antibiotic treatment is over, skin bacteria return and once again overcome the fungus. Incidence Large majorities of children and adults develop minor fungus diseases at one time or another, such as athlete's foot and jock itch . Instances of the most serious varieties of fungus diseases are comparatively rare in developed countries among persons who are predominantly in good health. The incidence of fungus infection tends to be higher among individuals whose bodily defenses have been weakened by other diseases, including diabetes mellitus and AIDS .