Final answer:
Contagious fungal infections include athlete's foot and ringworm, which can spread from person to person or through contact with infected surfaces, particularly in moist environments. Treatment requires antifungal medication, which can have side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some types of fungal infections are contagious, meaning they can spread from person to person or through contact with infected surfaces. Examples of these infections include athlete's foot and ringworm. These fungi thrive in warm, moist environments such as shoes, communal showers, and locker rooms. Athlete's foot, in particular, can be contracted by walking barefoot on damp surfaces where the fungus is present or by wearing shoes previously worn by an infected person. Additionally, fungal pathogens can cause infections when they enter through a wound or in immunocompromised patients.
Fungi like Candida and Trichophyton are often responsible for these infections, and while most fungal infections are not serious, they can be difficult to treat. Conventional antibiotics are not effective against these eukaryotic organisms, and antifungal medications, which are necessary for treatment, can have serious side effects.