Climate change has various unseen impacts, and researchers are beginning to further study and call attention to the fact that climate change may contribute to the development of invasive fungal diseases. They found that better conditions have been created for the growth and spread of fungal pathogens due to the warming of our planet alongside the increased frequency of natural disasters such as hurricanes, wild-fires, and other similar events.
Fungal diseases are a diverse group with many types. The CDC gives a brief overview of the most common fungal diseases and their impacts. Some fungal diseases that are widely known are athlete's foot, ringworm, and thrush. Fungal diseases range in severity, but some especially untreated can result in hospitalization or death. It is important to be aware of the potential rise in fungal diseases, as the CDC states these are most often misdiagnosed which results in a delay of treatment and increases the risk of hospitalization or death in those seeking treatment. While some fungal diseases cause growth under your nailbeds, or cause white patches inside your mouth, some fungal diseases have respiratory and skin effects such as Mucormycosis a fungal disease related to mold inhalation. It is necessary to become more wary of these diseases and their impacts and begin putting effort into potentially mitigating their spread. 
The Lancet discusses the way that these fungal pathogens have further developed their ability to adapt to heat stress, they also discuss the way that the pollution of bodies of water is linked to increased growth of pathogenic fungal species. What stood out was the fact that humans have become more susceptible to these diseases, and likely will continue to in coming years as our average body temperatures have declined each decade following the Industrial Revolution. These fungal pathogens tend to have low thermal tolerance, but with the adaptation that is occurring as a result of climate change alongside decreased human resistance the thermal exclusion gradient between fungal pathogens and human hosts is being minimized.
As these fungi become more adept at surviving in higher temperatures and in polluted environments, medical science faces an increasing challenge in developing effective treatments and preventative measures. Antifungal resistance is another mounting issue that compounds the problem, as overuse of antifungal medications further encourages the development of resistant strains. The question now is not just how we prevent these fungi from spreading, but also how we ensure our bodies are able to fight back against them effectively in the future.
00039-9/asset/3cfa636a-2d3c-4f0a-bcb4-05d559230e7a/main.assets/gr3.jpg)
The fact that fungal pathogens are adapting to the heat that is caused by climate change is honestly really scary to think about. I would’ve never learned about this, so thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have actually heard of a similar case happening from bacteria and cells being trapped in the glaciers and icebergs of the world. However, now that it continues to get warmer and hotter melting the ice and releasing the bacteria and fungus back into a new environment and time period from when they were originally frozen. The heat and moisture are peak places for bacteria and germs to grow
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting, I have never thought or heard of such a thing. Would be curious to learn more about it.
DeleteIt's true, the glaciers especially have trapped microbes and fungi within them. Permafrost also has potential to release hazardous microbes that may not have been exposed before in human lifetimes. I forget where and when, but it might've been in the subarctic region of Siberia or similar country, where whole herds of cattle died with little warning because of a deadly disease they contracted from eating grass contaminated by microbes released from underlying permafrost. It's a real issue!
DeleteHaving fungal disease spreading due to higher temperatures is terrible to hear. We see so many people already struggling with the implication of climate change and this is only adding to it.
ReplyDeleteIf fungi continue adapting to higher temperatures, they could become an even greater public health threat. With antibacterial antibiotic resistance already a well-known issue, the idea that we could face a similar issue with fungal pathogens is scary.
ReplyDeleteThe name "invasive fungal diseases" sounds horrible and scary enough even without reading that it can cause hospitalization or death.
ReplyDeleteYikes, this was a consequence I had even considered but it sounds like it could turn into a major problem especially since so many people around the world lack adequate access to healthcare. This news also concerns me because Trump has pulled the U.S. out of the World Health Organization.
ReplyDeleteAs climate change creates more favorable conditions for the growth of invasive fungal diseases, it is crucial to address the increasing susceptibility of humans to these pathogens and the challenges posed by antifungal resistance in developing effective treatments and prevention strategies.
ReplyDeleteDiseases that can adapt are terrifying while it is scary that fungal pathogens are adapting to the heat I would be more concerned with how they will adapt if it's on a living thing Viruses that can adapt to cell defense meninism are very good at evolving and sometimes possibly killing. That's why medication is important.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things that are not well known, including this so thank you for sharing. This is definitely something that should be more well known.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that our average body temperatures have declined each decade. I looked into this more and found that since the average person in this modern world has a slower metabolism, it can make us less efficient at not only fighting off disease, but regulating our temperatures. We must look into policies that increase our abilities to survive amidst chaos. This includes promoting vaccinations, and raising awareness about the new diseases that come about in the tropical conditions we are heading toward in America.
ReplyDeleteGoodness! That is fascinating. I did not know that we have slower metabolisms overall, but I guess it makes sense. We don't need our metabolisms to be as fast and we have become accustomed to a certain life style.
DeleteIt is incredible how many attendant threats some with climate change. There is not one singular effect, it isn't just crazy weather or increased heat or rising oceans. Climate change is a totalizing change with so many unsung additional causes. This article reminds me a lot of an article last week that talked about the increase in invasive species due to climate change.
ReplyDeleteThis post exemplifies the utter importance of maintaining a quality healthcare system, and a vigilant disease and infection monitoring network. Vectors of disease (Bacteria, viruses, insects, and fungi) tend to thrive better when temperatures rise and conditions become wetter (which will happen in many places). I hope the current administration wakes up to it before its electorate starts dying as a result of their reckless endangerment through cutting public health resources.
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting! Just a couple days ago a child was trying to convince me that if I jumped on a trampoline without socks on that I would get a fungus. I thought it was silly but this post made it kind of real!
ReplyDeleteI knew about various fungal infections but didn't know how severe they could be or their adaptability due to climate change. This is super informative and important information and its scary to think that this is the first time I am hearing about it.
ReplyDeleteThis is crazy, it sounds gross, and people shy away from fungal infections, but they are so common. The last photo surprised me because I didn't know there were so many ways to be infected. I am interested in the differences between fungal infections and fungal diseases. What are the requirements for both of them?
ReplyDeleteThis is scary. I feel like its unknown of the unseen health effects that the warming climate, and I fear many people won't consider it until fungal infections and other illnesses increase due to the warming temperatures. Thank you for touching on this.
ReplyDeleteThis actually happens with parasitic infections like malaria as well.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/climate-change-and-malaria-complex-relationship.
Through increasing the range of the specific species of mosquito that carry the parasites, the infection spreads to more hosts and so on.
I did not know fungi causes cases of pneumonia. The development of resistant strains does seem like the best solution but raising awareness is very important as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is remarkable the range of effects of global heating, and the interelationship of biological processes. Your post really makes this clear.
ReplyDeleteI hadn’t considered how climate change might be helping fungi adapt and spread. This is surprising, and it makes me wonder what other hidden effects we might be overlooking.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that climate change is driving fungal infections to adapt and spread is worrying. Raising awareness and improving therapies are essential!
ReplyDelete