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A mysterious and dangerous fungal infection called Candida auris has appeared around the world. It is resistant to many antifungal medications, which places it among a growing number of germs that have developed defenses against common drugs. Here are some basic facts about this.
What is Candida auris?
Candida auris is a fungus that, when it enters the bloodstream, can cause life-threatening and dangerous infections. Scientists first identified it in 2009 in a patient in Japan. In recent years, he has appeared around the world, mainly in hospitals and retirement homes. According to disease control and prevention centers, 587 cases of C. auris have been reported in the United States, mostly in New York, New Jersey and Illinois.
Why is it so dangerous?
C. auris is often resistant to the main antifungal medications commonly used to treat such infections. C.D.C. indicates that more than 90% of C. auris infections are resistant to at least one of these drugs, while 30% are resistant to at least two major drugs. Once the germ is present, it is difficult to eradicate it from an installation. Some hospitals have had to use special cleaning equipment and even the destruction of floor and ceiling tiles to get rid of them.
Who is at risk?
People with compromised or weakened immune systems are the most vulnerable. This includes the elderly as well as those already sick. in at least one case, neonates were infected in a neonatal unit. People with weakened immunity will likely have more difficulty withstanding a first invasion by C. auris and will likely be placed in environments such as hospitals and retirement homes, where the infection is more widespread.
Why did not people hear about it?
The rise of C. auris has been little publicized in part because it is so new. But also, epidemics have sometimes been downplayed or kept confidential by hospitals, doctors and even governments. Some hospitals and health professionals say that since precautions are taken to prevent the spread, announcing an epidemic unnecessarily scares people.
Can I do something to protect myself?
The symptoms of C. auris – fever, body aches, fatigue – are not unusual, so it is difficult to recognize the infection without testing. The good news is that the threat of contracting the disease with C. auris is very low for healthy people who go about their daily lives. If you or a loved one are in the hospital or in a retirement home, you can ask if there have been cases of Candida auris in this city. If this is the case, it is reasonable to request that appropriate "infection prevention" precautions be taken. In the United States, this question would be particularly relevant in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, specifically in Chicago, where the germ was concentrated.
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