Which type of infections is fluconazole commonly used to treat?

Fluconazole is an antifungal agent that is particularly effective in treating infections caused by fungi, especially those in the Candida species. It is commonly used to manage oropharyngeal and vaginal candidiasis, conditions brought on by the overgrowth of Candida yeast. These infections are characterized by inflammation and discomfort in the mouth or throat (oropharyngeal candidiasis) and the vaginal area (vaginal candidiasis). Fluconazole works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes, thus helping to eliminate the fungal infection.

The other listed types of infections are not appropriately treated with fluconazole. Viral infections require antiviral medications, bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, and skin infections can vary widely in etiology, meaning different antifungal agents or topical treatments might be indicated depending on the specific pathogen involved. Therefore, the specificity of fluconazole for fungal infections, particularly candidiasis, makes it the correct choice in this context.