Fungus
Fungus: A single-celled or multicellular organism. Fungi can be true pathogens (such as histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis) that cause infections in healthy persons or they can be opportunistic pathogens (such as aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis) that cause infections in immunocompromised persons (including cancer patients, transplant recipients, and persons with AIDS). An example of a common fungus is the yeast organism which causes thrush and diaper rash (diaper dermatitis). Fungi are also used for the development of antibiotics, antitoxins, and other drugs used to control various human diseases.
Read Also:
- Fungus, foot
Fungus, foot: Athlete’s foot causes foot itching, burning, pain, and scaling. It is caused by a fungus and is treated with antifungal medications, many of which are available over-the-counter. Keeping the feet dry by using cotton socks and breathable shoes helps prevent athletes foot.
- Funnel chest (pectus excavatum)
Funnel chest (pectus excavatum): “Caved-in” chest. Usually an unimportant isolated finding evident at birth. (Funnel chest can occasionally be part of a connective tissue disorder such as Marfan syndrome).
- Funny bone
Funny bone: A sensation, rather than an actual bone, that one gets when the elbow is bumped and the ulnar nerve that runs past the elbow is stimulated and produces a strange, almost painful, sensation.
- Fever of Unknown Origin
Fever of unknown origin: The presence of fever greater than 38.3’C (101’F) ‘off and on’ for more than three weeks without a specific cause identified for the fever. Abbreviated FUO. Extensive diagnostic testing can determine the cause in the majority of cases of FUO. FUO may be related to infections such as HIV or other […]
- Furuncle
Furuncle: Is also known as a “boil.” A boil is a tender, dome-shaped skin lesion caused by an infection around a hair follicle with Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics are often not very helpful in treating abscesses. The main treatments include hot packs and draining (“lancing”) the abscess, but only when it is soft and ready to […]