What is a Fungal Panel Testing?

A Fungal Panel Testing helps with the diagnosis of fungal infections. It can occur if you are exposed to fungi. Fungi live all around us. They are plant-like life-forms, such as yeasts and molds. Common places where fungi can be found are:

• In the air and soil outdoors
• On plant surfaces
• In the atmosphere indoors
• On and inside the boyd

Fungi will not make a healthy person sick. However, there are hundreds of fungi types that have the potential to compromise your health. Two main types of fungal infections are:

Superficial Fungal Infections: These fungal infections affect the outside of your body such as your skin, genital areas, and the nails. These are the most common types of fungal infections but are generally nothing to worry about, however, they may cause itchiness, and scaly rashes.  

Examples of superficial fungal infections include:

• Athlete’s foot
• Vaginal yeast infections
• Jock itch
• Ringworm

Systemic Fungal Infections: Systemic fungal infections affect the body from within. This kind of fungus may grow in your lungs, blood, brain or other organs. While anyone can contract a systemic fungus, it is not common in healthy people. In a healthy individual, the infection starts gradually and does not spread to other organs in the body.

People who have weak and compromised immune systems are most at risk of developing systemic fungal infections. In such cases, the infection spreads faster affects multiple parts of the body at once. 

Examples of systemic fungal infections include:

• Aspergillosis
• Histoplasmosis
• Pneumocystis pneumonia
• Sporothrix schenckii

Both superficial and systemic fungal infections can be diagnosed with a Fungal Panel Testing.

When to Use a Fungal Panel Testing?

A Fungal Panel Testing serves as an essential diagnostic tool in detecting a fungal infection in the body. This comprehensive testing panel enables healthcare professionals in determining the existence of fungal infection and also provides insight into the specific strain and fungus species responsible for it. 

Moreover, it aids in driving the course of treatment and assists in choosing the best course of treatment for the patient. It also serves as a litmus test to gauge the effectiveness of ongoing treatment and helps the provider in understanding if the current course of treatment is yielding desirable results or not. In essence, the Fungal Panel Testing assumes a multifaceted role in the realm of medical diagnostics, encompassing identification, treatment direction, and treatment assessment, all vital components in the holistic management of fungal infections.

Why do I need a Fungal Panel test?

You might be prescribed a Fungal Panel test if you have a fungal infection. While the symptoms may vary depending on the type of infection, some common symptoms of a superficial fungal infection include: 

• Rash
• Itchy, scaly, or cracked skin
• Hair loss
• Itching and/or discharge from the vagina 
• White patches inside the mouth
• Discoloured, thick, or brittle nails

Symptoms of a more serious, systemic fungal infection include:

• Cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath
• Fever
• Joint and muscle pain
• Headaches
• Chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue or weakness
• Rapid heartbeat

What to expect during a Fungal Panel Testing?

Fungi can infect various parts of the body. For a Fungal Panel Testing culture, you will be requested to provide a sample of cells or fluid from the infected area. The most common types of fungal tests are:

1. Skin or nail scraping
2. Swab test
3. Blood Test
4. Urine Test
5. Sputum Culture

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