Fungal infections - Fungi, such as Aspergillus, are plant-like organisms. Unlike plants, however, they cannot produce their own food from photosynthesis; they must absorb their food from other organic material. Like bacteria, fungi possess the important ability to consume and break down complex organic substances. Fungi usually consume organisms that are no longer living; however, occasionally a fungus begins feeding off of a still-living organism, which causes a fungal infection.
In the past 30 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of recorded fungal infections. This can be attributed to increased public awareness, new immunosuppressive therapies (medications that suppress the body's immune system to prevent organ rejection), and the overuse of antibiotics (anti-infectives).
When the body's immune system is suppressed, fungi find an opportunity to invade the body and a number of side effects occur. The moist, dark cavities of the sinuses are a natural home to the invading fungi, and when this occurs, fungal sinusitis results.
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