Occasionally, however, certain strains of fungi can produce severe infections of the lungs, the liver, and the rest of the body. Leukemia Extensive burns Fungi have a special tendency to cause infections in people with a compromised immune system. For example, people with AIDS or those undergoing treatment for cancer are more likely to develop serious fungal infections. Sometimes, people with impaired immunity develop infections caused by types of fungi that seldom, if ever, inflict harm in people whose immune systems are functioning normally. Such infections include mucormycosis and aspergillosis.
Some fungal infections are more common in certain geographic areas.
For example, in the United States, coccidioidomycosis occurs almost exclusively in the Southwest, whereas histoplasmosis is common in the East and Midwest, especially in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. Blastomycosis occurs only in North America and Africa. Because many fungal infections develop slowly, months or years may pass before a person realizes medical attention is needed. These infections may be difficult to treat, and treatment usually takes a long time. A variety of antifungal drugs are available.