What type of infections are often treated with antifungal medications?

Antifungal medications are specifically designed to combat fungal infections, which are caused by various species of fungi. The most common types of infections that are treated with antifungal medications include candidiasis, which is caused by the Candida species, as well as other mycoses like aspergillosis and cryptococcosis. These medications target the unique features of fungal cells, such as the cell wall composition, and metabolic pathways not present in human cells, making them effective against these infections.

In contrast, viral infections like influenza require antiviral medications, bacterial infections such as strep throat are treated with antibiotics, and protozoan infections like malaria are treated with antiparasitic agents. Each class of pathogens necessitates specific treatment strategies aligned with their biological characteristics, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis for proper therapeutic intervention.