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Im Reich der Pilze | Wenn Schimmel tötet

Kai Kupferschmidt, Laura Salm-Reifferscheidt Read Mar 13, 2026 podcast episode

Key Ideas

Fungi as Overlooked Pathogens

Fungal infections consistently receive far less attention than viral or bacterial diseases, even though they can be just as serious and widespread. This neglect means important stories about fungal threats often go untold.

Actionable Insights

Treat fungal infections as a serious pandemic risk, not a secondary concern

Fungal diseases receive far less research attention and media coverage than viruses or bacteria, yet they can cause severe systemic infections affecting organs, blood, and the brain. Actively include fungal pathogens in your risk assessments and public health discussions.

Warn high-risk individuals about mold exposure during demolition or renovation work

Tearing down old structures like barns can release massive quantities of fungal spores, leading to life-threatening infections even in otherwise healthy people. Issue explicit safety guidance—masks, protective gear, medical monitoring—before anyone undertakes such work.

Related

Stange - Sauna und Gesundheit (2024)
Both are German-language popular-science pieces examining how environmental or physiological factors affect the human immune system and overall health.