A fungal culture test is a test that helps to diagnose fungal infections. Fungal infections may occur when you are exposed to fungi. Fungi are plant-like life forms, such as yeasts and molds. Fungi can survive or grow everywhere:
Fungi will not normally make you sick if you are healthy. Yet, there are several hundred different species of fungus that might harm your health. Fungal infections are classified into two types:
Fungal infections on the skin, vaginal region, and nails are examples of superficial fungal infections. They are quite common. These fungal infections are usually not dangerous, but they can produce itchy, scaly rashes and other unpleasant symptoms. The following are superficial fungal infections:
Systemic fungal infections impact tissue throughout the body. The fungus can potentially develop in the lungs, blood, and other organs, including your brain. A systemic fungal infection can affect anybody, but it is less prevalent in healthy persons. In healthy persons, the infection spreads slowly and does not normally spread to other organs.
The most dangerous systemic fungal infections occur in patients who have medical problems that impair the immune system or who require immune-suppressing therapy. These diseases spread quickly and damage several parts of the body.
Systemic fungal infections are as follows:
- Aspergillosis.
- Pneumocystis pneumonia .
- Histoplasmosis.
- Sporothrix schenckii, or rose gardener's disease
A fungal culture test can detect both superficial and systemic fungal diseases.
What is the use of this test?
A fungal culture test determines whether you have a fungal infection or not. The test may aid in determining the kind of fungus you have. The test is also used to guide therapy and determine its effectiveness.
What is the need for a fungal culture test?
If you have signs or symptoms of a fungal infection, your doctor may request a fungal culture test. The symptoms differ according to the type of illness. The following are symptoms of a superficial fungal infection:
- Red rash
- Itchy, scaly, or cracky skin
- Hair loss
- Itching or vaginal discharge
- White patches inside the mouth
- Discolored nails(yellow, brown, or white), nails that becomes thick, or brittle nails
Symptoms of a more severe, systemic fungal infection include:
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Joint and muscle aches
- Headaches
- Chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Fast heartbeat or rapid heartbeat
What happens in a fungal culture test?
Fungi have the capacity to infect several regions of the body. A fungal culture test requires a sample of cells or fluid from the area of your body where the fungus may be developing. The following are the most prevalent types of fungal tests:
- Scraping of the skin or nails : Used to identify superficial skin and nail infections.
How it is done:
Your provider will collect a tiny sample of your skin or nails with a particular instrument. A skin biopsy may be required in some instances.
- Swab examination : This test is used to identify yeast infections in the mouth or vagina. It can also be used to identify certain skin infections.
How it is done:
A specific swab will be used by your provider to collect tissue or fluid from your mouth, vagina, or an open skin sore.
- Blood Analysis : To detect fungus in the blood. Blood tests are frequently used to detect more severe fungal infections.
How it is done:
Blood will be drawn as a sample by a medical practitioner. The sample is usually drawn from a vein in your arm.
- Urine Examination : Used to diagnose more serious infections and, on occasion, to aid in diagnosing a vaginal yeast infection.
How it is done:
As directed, you will be asked to collect a sterile urine sample in a container. And this will be tested in the lab.
- Sputum Culture : Sputum is a viscous mucus produced by the lungs that are coughed up. It is not the same as spit or saliva. Used to aid in the diagnosis of fungal infections in the lungs.
How it is done:
Your provider may advise you to cough up phlegm into a particular container.
Your sample will be collected and submitted to a facility for analysis. You may not receive your findings immediately. This is because the sample normally needs time to expand to have enough to test. Many fungi develop in a day or two, while others might take many weeks.
