Antifungal: meaning, definitions and examples

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antifungal

[ˌæntiˈfʌŋɡəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

medical treatment

Capable of preventing the growth of fungi.

Synonyms

antifungicidal, antimycotic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
antifungal	This term is commonly used in medical and healthcare settings to refer to substances that treat or prevent fungal infections. It is a general term and can be applied to a wide range of medications, creams, and treatments. The doctor prescribed an antifungal cream for the athlete's foot. Antifungal tablets are often used to treat systemic fungal infections.
antimycotic	This word is another term for antifungal substances and is often used in both medical and veterinary contexts. It is somewhat less common in everyday conversations compared to 'antifungal'. The veterinarian recommended an antimycotic shampoo for the dog's skin infection. Antimycotic medications are crucial for treating fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.
antifungicidal	This term is more specific and scientific, referring to substances that kill fungi rather than just inhibiting their growth. It is primarily used in scientific literature and technical discussions. The research focused on the development of new antifungicidal agents to combat resistant fungal strains. Effectiveness of the antifungicidal properties was tested in the lab.

Word

Description / Examples

antifungal

This term is commonly used in medical and healthcare settings to refer to substances that treat or prevent fungal infections. It is a general term and can be applied to a wide range of medications, creams, and treatments.

The doctor prescribed an antifungal cream for the athlete's foot.
Antifungal tablets are often used to treat systemic fungal infections.

antimycotic

This word is another term for antifungal substances and is often used in both medical and veterinary contexts. It is somewhat less common in everyday conversations compared to 'antifungal'.

The veterinarian recommended an antimycotic shampoo for the dog's skin infection.
Antimycotic medications are crucial for treating fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.

antifungicidal

This term is more specific and scientific, referring to substances that kill fungi rather than just inhibiting their growth. It is primarily used in scientific literature and technical discussions.

The research focused on the development of new antifungicidal agents to combat resistant fungal strains.
Effectiveness of the antifungicidal properties was tested in the lab.

Examples of usage

Antifungal medication is often prescribed to treat fungal infections.
Antifungal creams are commonly used to treat athlete's foot.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

medical field

A substance that inhibits the growth of fungi.

Synonyms

antifungicidal, antimycotic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
antifungal	As this word is a repeat listing, it shares the same context and applications as mentioned earlier. It's essential in medical treatments to curb fungal infections by inhibiting fungal growth. She bought an antifungal shampoo to treat her dandruff
antimycotic	This term is used in both medical and scientific contexts, particularly in European or more formal settings, to describe substances that both prevent and treat fungal infections. It may be found in professional or academic discussions. The hospital's protocol includes the use of antimycotic medications to treat patients with systemic fungal infections
antifungicidal	This term is used in more specific scientific or medical contexts to refer to substances that kill fungi directly, as opposed to merely inhibiting their growth. It is typically used in detailed medical literature or research. The researchers tested the antifungicidal properties of the new drug and found it very effective

Word

Description / Examples

antifungal

As this word is a repeat listing, it shares the same context and applications as mentioned earlier. It's essential in medical treatments to curb fungal infections by inhibiting fungal growth.

She bought an antifungal shampoo to treat her dandruff

antimycotic

This term is used in both medical and scientific contexts, particularly in European or more formal settings, to describe substances that both prevent and treat fungal infections. It may be found in professional or academic discussions.

The hospital's protocol includes the use of antimycotic medications to treat patients with systemic fungal infections

antifungicidal

This term is used in more specific scientific or medical contexts to refer to substances that kill fungi directly, as opposed to merely inhibiting their growth. It is typically used in detailed medical literature or research.

The researchers tested the antifungicidal properties of the new drug and found it very effective

Examples of usage

Antifungals are commonly used in the treatment of fungal infections.
Some antifungal drugs target specific types of fungi.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from 'anti-' meaning against, and 'fungus', a type of organism like mold or mushrooms.
Fungi have existed for millions of years, and the term began appearing in medical texts in the 20th century.

Historical Origins

The first antifungal medication, griseofulvin, was discovered in the 1930s from a type of mold.
Penicillin, known for its antibacterial properties, is derived from a mold but led researchers toward the discovery of antifungal therapies.

Science

Fungi are found everywhere, with some species capable of causing infections in humans, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Antifungals work by disrupting the cell membrane of fungi, preventing their growth and reproduction.

Pop Culture

In popular media, antifungals are often mentioned in connection with medical dramas highlighting hospital settings and treatment plans.
Some antifungal creams even make appearances in comedic scenarios in films or TV shows, where characters have funny mishaps with foot powder or spray.

Health and Psychology

Fungal infections can sometimes lead to significant psychological distress due to their visible nature, like athlete's foot or nail fungus.
Studies are being conducted on the role of certain antifungal treatments in mental health, exploring their potential effects on mood disorders.

Translations

Translations of the word "antifungal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antifúngico

🇮🇳 एंटिफंगल (Antifungal)

🇩🇪 antimykotisch

🇮🇩 antijamur

🇺🇦 протигрибковий

🇵🇱 przeciwgrzybiczy

🇯🇵 抗真菌 (こうしんきん, kōshinkin)

🇫🇷 antifongique

🇪🇸 antifúngico

🇹🇷 antifungal

🇰🇷 항진균 (hangjingyun)

🇸🇦 مضاد للفطريات

🇨🇿 protiplísňový

🇸🇰 protiplesňový

🇨🇳 抗真菌 (kàng zhēnjūn)

🇸🇮 protiglivičen

🇮🇸 sveppalyf

🇰🇿 зеңге қарсы

🇬🇪 სოკოს საწინააღმდეგო (sok'os satsinaaghmdego)

🇦🇿 göbələklərə qarşı

🇲🇽 antifúngico