Candida auris: Know about the fatal drug-resistant fungus spreading across US and its symptoms

During the Covid pandemic, incidences of a lethal drug-resistant fungus that was already spreading throughout the US dramatically increased, with more than half of all states now reporting cases.


The first instance of Candida auris (C. auris) was documented in Japan in 2009, while the earliest documented cases in the US date from 2013. According to a report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal, the number of cases increased significantly through the end of 2021.

How does Candida auris spread?

The majority of recorded instances of the fungus have occurred in medical facilities including hospitals and nursing homes. It is typically believed that it spreads by person-to-person contact or contact with infected surfaces.

How Candida auris affects the body?

The body can be impacted by Candida auris in two different ways. The fungus can also spread to other individuals through a process known as "asymptomatic colonization," in which a patient has no symptoms but can infect others despite living in a particular area like the skin, rectum, or mouth. It can also cause serious invasive infections when it gets into the bloodstream or wounds.

Can you die from Candida auris?

Indeed, in a nutshell. However, the numbers are hazy. Based on data from a small number of patients, the CDC estimates the death rate to be between 30 and 60 per cent. Nonetheless, the group issued a warning since a large number of the fatalities also suffered from other severe conditions that may have raised the chance of death.

Can medication be used to treat Candida auris?

Although echinocandins, which are antifungal medications, can be used to treat the majority of fungal infections, a surge in instances that are resistant to the three most common types of antifungals has alarmed experts. As a result, doctors have been forced to combine several medications at large doses to treat patients, with variable degrees of effectiveness.

Who is most in danger?

According to the CDC, persons who already have various medical illnesses and those who have recently resided in healthcare facilities like nursing homes or critical care units are frequently most vulnerable to the fungus. There is a risk of infection when invasive equipment like breathing tubes enter the body.

An individual may also be more vulnerable if they have recently undergone surgery, have a health condition like diabetes, or take antibiotics and antifungals often. Health officials issue a warning since the virus has been discovered in people of all ages.

FAQs:

What is the deadliest fungal infection?
Candida auris

How fatal is Candida auris?
It causes serious infections.