The US is experiencing a growing concern regarding the spread of Candida auris, a lethal fungus that is resistant to drugs. More than half of the states in the country have now reported cases, and the pandemic has significantly contributed to the rise in infections. The earliest known infections date back to 2013, and Candida auris was first identified in Japan in 2009. Since then, it has become a severe global health threat.
How is it contracted?
Candida auris is primarily contracted in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes, where it is generally thought to be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or by person-to-person transmission. The fungus can either colonize a specific region of the body, such as the skin, rectum, or mouth, without causing symptoms or cause severe invasive infections by entering the bloodstream or wounds.
Symptoms
Diagnosing Candida auris can be difficult, as its symptoms are often similar to those of other common diseases, such as fever and chills that do not go away after treatment with antibiotics. Misdiagnosis often leads to the wrong treatment, and a correct diagnosis typically requires sending a blood sample or sample from an infection site to a specialized lab to definitively confirm the fungus is present.
Meet Candida Auris
A deadly, drug-resistant fungus is infecting patients in hospitals and nursing homes around the world. The fungus seems to have emerged in several locations at once, not from a single source. The germ, a fungus called Candida auris, preys on people with weakened immune systems, and it is quietly spreading across the globe.
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