Candida auris : Deadly Fungal Infection
A deadly fungal infection called Candida auris has been spreading rapidly in the United States recently.
- Candida auris (C. auris) is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast (fungus) that represents a global health threat.
- It is capable of causing invasive infections in the human body. It can cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems.
- Scientists first discovered C. auris in Japan in 2009. Since then, it has spread quickly to other countries.
- It is primarily contracted in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
- It can also live on the skin or other body parts without making a person sick.
- This is called being “colonised.”
- The fungus can either colonise a specific region of the body, such as the skin, rectum, or mouth, without causing symptoms or it can cause severe invasive infections by entering the bloodstream or wounds.
- It can be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, or from physical contact with a person who is infected or colonised.
- It can cause infections in different parts of the body, such as the bloodstream, open wounds, and ears.
- The symptoms depend on the location and severity of the C. auris infection.
- Symptoms may be similar to those of an infection caused by bacteria. There is not a common set of symptoms specific to C. auris infections.
- Most C. auris infections are treatable with antifungal drugs.
