Fluconazole is primarily prescribed for which infection?

Fluconazole is primarily prescribed for fungal infections. It belongs to a class of medications known as azole antifungals, which are effective against a wide range of fungi. This includes common pathogens such as Candida species, which can cause infections ranging from mild, like oral thrush, to severe, such as disseminated candidiasis in immunocompromised individuals.

The drug works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, a critical component of fungal cell membranes, thereby disrupting the integrity of the fungal cell and leading to cell death. Because of its specific mechanism of action, fluconazole is not effective against bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, which require entirely different types of treatments. Thus, its primary application is in managing and treating various fungal infections, making this the correct answer.