Fungal Diseases

Fungal diseases are infections caused by fungi. They can affect different parts of the body. There are different types of fungi around us, but not all cause infections. Depending on the type of fungi and the part of the body it affects, the symptoms and the severity of the infection can vary.

Hence, it is important to seek a medical opinion as soon as you observe the onset of symptoms.

Here is a quick look at the different types of fungal infections

Superficial fungal infections These infections affect only the outermost layers of the hair, nails, and skin. They are of the following sub-types**

Cutaneous fungal infections Infections of the skin and nails

Subcutaneous fungal infections Infections involving deeper layers of the skin and underlying tissues

Mucocutaneous Infections affecting the skin and mucous membranes

Systemic fungal infections These infections affect multiple organs and tissues throughout the body and spread through the bloodstream. They are of the following sub-types**

Opportunistic fungal infections Infections that attack people with weaker immune systems

Primary fungal infections Infections that can occur in any individual due to exposure to fungi

Endemic fungal infections Infections that are confined to certain geographical areas since certain fungi thrive in specific environments

Nosocomial fungal infections Infections caused as a result of hospitalisation or medical procedures

Allergic fungal infections These infections result in allergic reactions due to the entry of fungi into the body. They are of the following sub-types**

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis An allergic response to the fungus Aspergillus affecting the lungs and airways

Allergic fungal sinusitis An allergic response to fungal growth in the sinuses

**List of Diseases Caused by Fungi

• Athlete’s Foot

• Ringworm

• Jock Itch

• Nail Fungus

• Candidiasis

• Aspergillosis

• Cryptococcosis

• Histoplasmosis

Here is the list of symptoms based on different types of fungal infections:

A fungal infection is caused by fungi present in the environment. While we are exposed to millions of fungi every day, not every fungus causes an infection. Fungal infections are caused by some fungi that can overgrow in the given conditions and cause an infection.

Fungal Infection Risk Factors

Here are some factors that increase the risk of fungal infections as per the different types of infection.

Superficial

• Poor hygiene

• Humid climate

• A weakened immune system

• Contact with animals or objects that have the infecting fungi

• Contact with soil or vegetation with the fungus

• Skin trauma

• Diabetes

• Use of dentures and antibiotics

Systemic

• HIV or cancer patients

• Organ transplant receivers

• People with prolonged hospitalisation

• Exposure to contaminated soil

• Residing or travelling to an endemic area

• Excessive use of immunosuppressive drugs

Allergic

• History of allergies

• Asthma patients

The method adopted to diagnose a fungal infection depends on the part of the body it affects. Here are some methods followed to diagnose a fungal infection:

Physical examination

The medical professional will examine the affected area, if external, to look for signs of a fungal infection. You will also be required to share information about any activities that have exposed you to the fungi. This may include travelling to an endemic location or being involved in a new outdoor activity, etc.

Lab tests

The doctor might look for signs of fungus in samples from the affected area. The samples might include nail clippings, skin, tissue, blood, phlegm, urine, eye secretions, or vaginal secretions. The samples are observed under a microscope and even put through a culture test to identify the type of fungal infection that is causing the symptoms.

Internal fungal infection tests

If the fungal infection has affected your brain, lungs, or any other internal organ, then the doctor might recommend imaging tests like CT Scan, X-Ray, or MRI Scan to identify areas that are infected.

The medical professional will treat a fungal infection based on two main factors:

1.The type of fungus causing the infection

2.The part of the body that is infected

Most fungal infections are treated with short-term treatment options like antifungal medicines and creams. However, serious infections can need surgery and longer treatments. Here are some treatment options for fungal infections:

Antifungal medicines

The doctor can prescribe antifungal medicines in various forms depending on the area that is infected. These include:

• Pills

• Intravenous medicine

• Cream or powder

• Eye drops

• Shampoo

• Lozenges

• Surgery

For serious fungal infections, the doctor might recommend surgery to remove the infected mass or drain an abscess. This can help reduce the strain on your immune system and help the medicines fight off the infection efficiently.

There are many ways to prevent a fungal infection, as explained below:

• Fungi tend to infect the skin if it is moist or damp. Hence, if you are sweaty after physical activity, then ensure you shower as soon as possible and wipe yourself clean.

• Wear slippers while using a public bathroom or shower

• Avoid wearing dirty underwear. Always prefer clean, dry, and preferably cotton underwear

• Pay attention to oral hygiene

• Clean your contact lenses as directed before every use

• Maintain your nails and ensure that you cut and clean them regularly

• Avoid the prolonged use of antibiotics unnecessarily

• Do not share your towels or other personal items with other people

• If you are working with soil, then ensure that you wear gloves, boots, and full clothes to avoid any potential contact with harmful fungi

• If you are in an endemic area and working with soil, then wear a mask at all times

When the doctor diagnoses a fungal infection, he will immediately put you on antifungal medicines if the infection is not serious. However, for people with a weakened immune system and severe symptoms, the doctor might recommend the surgical removal of the infected mass. This would require immediate hospitalisation and surgery.

Without a health insurance plan, you will have to bear the costs of treatment. When you opt for a medical insurance plan from TATA AIG, you get a range of benefits, including**

Comprehensive coverage Buying a health insurance plan from Tata AIG offers you coverage for a wide range of medical expenses like diagnostic tests, consultation charges, hospitalisation costs, surgery costs, and post-hospitalisation expenses too. Hence, you can be assured of complete financial protection during medical emergencies.

Cashless claim settlement With cashless claim settlement, you can get treated at a network hospital without spending upfront. We offer a wide network of hospitals (7200+) and healthcare providers to help you get a cashless treatment for various diseases and ailments.

Copayment and Deductible The premium of a health insurance policy depends upon the sum insured and the overall risk assessment of the insured persons. If the policy you want is attracting a high premium, then you can opt for copayment or deductible to reduce the premium amount without compromising the coverage.

24/7 Customer Support Medical emergencies can happen at any time. Hence, we have put together a customer support team that works around the clock to help you with any queries regarding your policy, coverage, or cashless claims. This can help you get the answers you need without wasting time.

Here is a quick look at the process to buy Tata AIG health insurance online:

• Visit https://www.tataaig.com

• Go to the Health Insurance Page

• Choose an individual policy or select the family member that you want to include in it

• Enter your contact details and the date of birth of all covered members

• Click on “See Plans”

• Go through the listed plans and select the best one based on your requirements

• Choose the right sum insured to get maximum coverage without paying an extremely high premium

• Click on ‘Buy Now’

• We will call you to complete the buying process

Offline purchase:

• Visit the nearest Tata AIG office

• Provide details of your insurance requirements to your representative

• Choose the best insurance plan from the options offered to you

• Select the optimum sum insured

• Fill out the required forms and attach the necessary documents

• Pay the fees

Every health insurance policy offers financial coverage for medical emergencies against the payment of a premium. The insurance company determines the coverage and premium based on the assessment of your profile. This includes your demographics, health, income, and medical history.

While you are required to provide the necessary information in the application form, the insurer also needs documents that validate your statements. The documents needed can be different for different people; however, here is a common list that is applicable to all applicants**

Age Proof Aadhar Card, passport, etc.

Address Proof Utility bill, bank statement, etc.

Identity Proof PAN Card, Aadhar Card, etc.

Medical History Doctor’s reports and test results of any pre-existing disease

Other documents IT returns, proof of income, etc.

It is important to talk to a doctor as soon as you start experiencing the symptoms of a fungal infection. If left untreated, it can spread or become more serious or turn life-threatening too. For severe cases, surgery and hospitalisation are usually recommended by the doctor.

If you don’t have a health insurance policy, then you have to bear all the expenses by dipping into your savings or investments. Hence, it is important to buy a medical insurance plan that offers comprehensive coverage and covers a wide range of diseases and illnesses.

Here are some essential things to look for in a health insurance plan:

Sum Insured

The sum insured is the maximum coverage amount offered by the health insurance policy. The insurer will analyse the information provided at the time of application and determine the maximum sum that it will cover for medical emergencies.

If your treatment costs exceed the sum insured, then the additional amount has to be borne by you. Hence, make sure that you assess the coverage amount you need and look for a policy that offers an adequate sum insured at a reasonable premium rate.

Manage your premium costs

A health insurance premium is the amount you pay every year to receive coverage from the insurer. This is a recurring and non-refundable cost. Hence, make sure that you choose a plan with affordable premium rates.

However, if the policy you need to cover medical emergencies for your loved ones is being offered at a higher premium, look for insurers who offer options like copayment and voluntary deductible to reduce the premium without compromising the coverage.

Hospitals in your vicinity on the list of network hospitals

When a medical emergency strikes, most people rush to the nearest hospital. Depending on the type of emergency, moving the patient to another hospital is not always possible. Hence, when choosing an insurance company, look at the list of network hospitals and make sure that hospitals in your vicinity are on that list. Else, you might have to travel a longer distance during an emergency or end up getting treated at a non-network hospital.

Make sure that you look at the claim settlement process and the claim settlement ratio of the insurer before buying a health insurance plan. Choose a provider with a high claim settlement ratio and a simple claims process to ensure that you get the financial assistance you need during emergencies. Claims are settled by insurers in two ways – cashless and reimbursement.

Here are the details:

1: Cashless claim settlement

When you opt for cashless claim settlement, you have to get treated at a network hospital. The insurance provider approves your cashless claim and pays the hospital directly. Hence, you don’t have to pay upfront and file a claim later. The insurance provider ensures that you get the treatment without paying anything up to the sum insured.

Keep these things in mind before applying for cashless claim settlement:

• Inform the insurance provider at least five days in advance about the treatment that you plan to undergo and the hospital where you plan to get admitted. If it is a pre-planned treatment, then this is possible. Once the insurer receives the details, you will get an approval letter that can be used to claim cashless treatment at the network hospital.

• If the treatment is not planned but is an emergency, then make sure that you get admitted to a network hospital and inform the insurance provider within 24 hours of being admitted.

02: Reimbursement claim settlement

Many insurers do not offer cashless claim settlements. Even if your insurer offers the facility, you might not have the time to reach a network hospital and get admitted to a non-network hospital. In such cases, you are required to pay for the hospitalisation and treatment upfront. Once you are discharged, you can file a reimbursement claim with the insurance provider.

Here are some things to remember for reimbursement claim settlement:

• Make sure that you are aware of the reimbursement claim settlement process and the documents needed to file such a claim

• Collect all the documents and submit them as per the specified process

• File the claim as soon as you are discharged from the hospital

Here are some additional tips for fungal infection claims:

• The health insurance policy should not have lapsed. Make sure that it is in force before getting admitted

• Go through the policy documents and understand the scope, nature, and extent of the coverage offered by reading the list of inclusions, exclusions, and general terms and conditions

When you buy a health insurance policy, you get certain health insurance tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The premium paid towards health insurance can be deducted from your taxable income subject to certain limits.

Here are the health insurance tax deduction limits: