Conditions and symptoms
What Is a Systemic Fungal Infection?
Systemic Fungal Infection · say it: sis-TEM-ik FUNG-gul in-FEK-shunAlso written: invasive fungal infection, systemic mycosis, deep fungal infection
Short answer
A systemic fungal infection is a fungal infection that has spread into the blood or internal organs, rather than staying on the skin or nails.
What it means
Most fungal infections are on the surface, such as athlete's foot, nail infections or thrush. A systemic fungal infection is one that has spread into the bloodstream or deep organs such as the lungs, brain or liver. Examples include invasive candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, aspergillosis and histoplasmosis. These are serious and are more likely in people with weakened immune systems.
Corticosteroid labels often list systemic fungal infections as a contraindication, because steroids can weaken the body's defences and make such an infection worse. Antifungal medicine labels, on the other hand, list them as indications. Labels for immunosuppressive medicines warn about these infections and ask you to report fever, cough or feeling very unwell.
'Systemic' means affecting the whole body or internal organs. It is different from a 'topical' or surface infection, which is usually much less serious.
Where you may see it
- Corticosteroid labels under 'Contraindications'
- Antifungal labels under 'Indications'
- Blood culture and infectious disease reports
📄 How it looks on a report
Contraindicated in patients with systemic fungal infections.
🙅 What it does not mean
- A steroid label warning about systemic fungal infection does not apply to ordinary thrush or athlete's foot in most cases, but ask if unsure.
- A positive fungal test does not always mean a systemic infection; doctors look at where it was found.
- Most fungal infections are not systemic.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Systemic Fungal Infection”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Dexamethasone
A corticosteroid, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid medicine that lowers inflammation and suppresses the immune system
- Prednisolone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine. The label describes glucocorticoids as adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, that are readily absorbed from the stomach and intestines.
- Prednisone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine that works like the adrenocortical (adrenal gland) steroids the body makes naturally
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Systemic Fungal Infection” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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