Are Fungal Infections the Next Public Health Crisis?

Imagine walking through a hospital corridor, surrounded by high-tech equipment, doctors in scrubs, and the hum of life-saving machinery. Yet, there’s an invisible threat in the air—one that can quietly slip past even the most vigilant doctors, silently spreading while we focus on the dangers we know. It’s not bacteria or viruses this time; it’s fungi.

Fungal infections have been around for centuries, but only now are we starting to see how serious the problem has become. Some of the most dangerous strains of fungi are evolving faster than our treatments, making infections harder to detect and even harder to treat. In fact, the World Health Organization recently named these fungi as critical threats to public health, warning that we may be on the verge of a new health crisis—one that could affect more people than we realize.

What’s worse? This silent threat often targets the most vulnerable: cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, or anyone with a weakened immune system. And as fungi like Candida auris and Aspergillus fumigatus grow more resistant to treatment, they leave doctors with fewer options to fight back.

So, how did we get here? What makes these fungi so dangerous, and what can we do to protect ourselves? The answers are more urgent than you might think. Let’s dive into what’s happening—and why we all need to pay closer attention.

Fungal Infections Are Rising — and Resistance Is Making Them Deadlier

Fungal infections are no longer rare complications—they’re an emerging global health threat. The World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding the alarm with its first-ever reports on the growing resistance to antifungal treatments and the critical lack of diagnostic tools, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Infections caused by fungi like Candida auris and Aspergillus fumigatus are becoming increasingly resistant to the limited treatments we have. These aren’t just superficial infections either—many are invasive and life-threatening, particularly in people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, or those living with HIV.

“Invasive fungal infections threaten the lives of the most vulnerable but countries lack the treatments needed to save lives,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance ad interim.

One of the main challenges? Fungi are biologically similar to human cells, which makes it tough to develop antifungal drugs that are both effective and safe. On top of that, resistance is growing faster than we can create new medicines. Agricultural use of antifungal agents—similar to those used in human medicine—is making the problem worse by driving resistance in environmental strains.

In the Netherlands, for instance, resistant strains of Aspergillus fumigatus have jumped from nearly nonexistent to 15% of cases in just two decades. Ferry Hagen, a Dutch medical mycologist, has called antifungal resistance a “silent pandemic”—slower to spread than bacterial resistance, but no less dangerous.

The WHO's new report highlights an urgent need for better testing and new drug development. Without reliable diagnostics, especially in lower-resource settings, many fungal infections go undetected and untreated, allowing them to progress unchecked. Some of the fungi identified in WHO’s “critical priority” category have mortality rates as high as 88%.

We’re facing a growing threat that has flown under the radar for too long. Without urgent investment in research, diagnostics, and drug development, fungal infections could become the next major global health crisis.

Understanding Fungal Infections and Antifungal Resistance

Fungi are all around us—on our skin, in the environment, even inside our bodies—and for the most part, they coexist with us harmlessly. But under certain conditions, some types of fungi can cause infections that range from mild to life-threatening.

Common fungal infections, like oral thrush or athlete’s foot, are usually easy to treat. However, when fungi invade deeper into the body—causing what's known as invasive fungal infections—the risks become much more serious. These infections often affect people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, recovering from organ transplants, or living with chronic illnesses like HIV/AIDS.

One of the growing concerns today is antifungal resistance. Just like bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, fungi can evolve to resist antifungal medications. This means the drugs we rely on to treat infections become less effective—or even useless—making it much harder to control or cure these illnesses.

Unlike bacteria, fungi share many biological similarities with human cells. That makes developing new antifungal drugs especially tricky: scientists must find treatments strong enough to kill the fungi without harming human cells. Unfortunately, the pipeline for new antifungal drugs is thin, and the diagnostics needed to quickly identify fungal infections are often unavailable, especially in resource-limited settings.

Adding to the problem, the widespread use of antifungal agents in agriculture exposes fungi to similar compounds used in medicine, giving them even more opportunities to develop resistance.

In 2022, the WHO released its first-ever Fungal Priority Pathogens List (FPPL), identifying the most dangerous fungi and urging action. Their latest reports reinforce that invasive fungal infections are a growing—and largely overlooked—threat to global health.

Benefits and Side Effects of Antifungal Treatments

When it comes to treating fungal infections, antifungal medications are often the only real option we have—and when they work, they can be lifesaving. They can stop an infection from getting worse, ease symptoms, and help people, especially those with weaker immune systems, recover faster and avoid serious complications.

There are different types of antifungal drugs out there, each working in its own way to fight off infections. Some of the newer treatments are better targeted, meaning they can fight the fungi more precisely while causing fewer problems for the rest of the body. That’s a big win for patients who might already be dealing with other health issues.

But like most medications, antifungals aren't perfect. They can cause side effects, and some of them aren’t minor. It’s not unusual for people to experience things like nausea, headaches, or skin rashes. In more serious cases—especially with the stronger drugs used for deep infections—there’s a risk of liver or kidney damage, so doctors often have to keep a close eye on patients during treatment.

The bigger challenge now is resistance. As fungi become tougher to treat, patients sometimes need longer or stronger treatments, which can raise the chances of side effects even more. And because there aren’t a lot of antifungal options to begin with, doctors don’t always have many alternatives if a treatment doesn’t work.

This is exactly why the WHO is pushing for more research—not just to come up with new drugs, but to find treatments that are safer, more effective, and easier on the body.

Top Threats: Meet the Most Dangerous Fungi

Not all fungi are created equal. Some are far more dangerous than others—especially for people with weakened immune systems. In its new fungal priority pathogens list, the WHO singled out a few critical threats that are driving the surge in serious infections worldwide.

Candida auris is one of the most concerning. First identified in 2009, this yeast spreads easily in hospitals and nursing homes, clings stubbornly to surfaces, and resists many common antifungal treatments. Infections can quickly turn deadly, especially if they enter the bloodstream. What's more, Candida auris is notoriously hard to detect with standard lab tests, which means outbreaks can go unnoticed until they’ve already spread.

Then there’s Aspergillus fumigatus, a mold commonly found in the environment. Most healthy people breathe in its spores every day without getting sick. But for those with weakened immune systems, even a small exposure can lead to a severe lung infection called invasive aspergillosis. Some strains of A. fumigatus have developed resistance to first-line antifungal drugs, making them much harder to treat. In some cases, mortality rates can be alarmingly high.

Other dangerous fungi flagged by WHO include Cryptococcus neoformans, which can cause deadly meningitis, especially in people living with HIV/AIDS, and Candida albicans, a normally harmless fungus that can turn dangerous when the body’s defenses are down.

What makes these fungi especially threatening isn’t just their ability to cause severe illness—it's their increasing resistance to treatment, their ability to spread quietly in healthcare settings, and the lack of fast, accurate diagnostic tools to catch infections early.

In short, these fungi have found ways to outsmart both our bodies and our medicines. And without faster action to close testing and treatment gaps, their impact will only continue to grow.

Protecting Yourself from Fungal Infections

While fungal infections often target people with weakened immune systems, everyone can take steps to lower their risk. Here’s what experts recommend for staying safer and supporting overall health:

1. Practice Good Hygiene

Simple habits like washing your hands regularly, keeping skin dry (especially in warm, moist areas), and changing out of sweaty clothes quickly can help prevent fungal infections from taking hold.

2. Stay Aware in Healthcare Settings

If you or a loved one is hospitalized or receiving medical care, don’t hesitate to ask how equipment is cleaned and whether infection control practices are in place. Fungi like Candida auris can linger on surfaces and spread easily in hospitals and nursing homes.

3. Protect Your Immune System

A strong immune system is your first line of defense. Prioritize basics like eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and staying physically active. If you have a condition that weakens your immune system, work closely with your healthcare provider to manage it.

4. Be Cautious with Antibiotics and Steroids

Overusing antibiotics or steroids can disrupt the body’s natural balance and make it easier for fungi to grow. Only use these medications when truly necessary and always under a doctor’s supervision.

5. Watch for Warning Signs

If you develop unexplained symptoms like persistent fever, cough, skin changes, or infections that don’t improve with standard treatment, seek medical care promptly. Early diagnosis is key with fungal infections.

6. Stay Informed

Fungal infections are often overlooked in public health conversations, but awareness is growing. Staying informed about the risks and new developments can help you and your loved ones make better health decisions.