An antifungal is a medicine or substance that acts against fungi or inhibits their growth or reproduction.
Antifungal medicines are used to treat fungal infections affecting the skin, nails, mouth, genital tract, lungs, bloodstream, or other parts of the body. They work through different mechanisms depending on the medicine and the type of fungus involved.
Some antifungals are applied directly to affected areas, while others are taken orally or administered by injection when treatment of deeper or more serious infections is required.
QUICK FACT
Fungi are biologically different from bacteria, which is why antibiotics generally do not treat fungal infections.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Antibiotic: Antibiotics target bacteria, whereas antifungals target fungi.
SEE ALSO
- Antimicrobial
- Antibiotic
- Antiviral
- Antiparasitic
- Infectious agent
- Fungal infection