Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen that has gained attention due to challenges it poses to healthcare. Many wonder if it can cause death in an otherwise healthy individual. While Candida auris is a concern in medical settings, severe outcomes in healthy individuals are uncommon.
What is Candida auris?
Candida auris is a yeast identified in Japan in 2009 that is a global health concern. It often exhibits multi-drug resistance, making it difficult to treat with common antifungal medications. This limits therapeutic options and makes infections difficult to manage.
The fungus spreads easily within healthcare environments. Candida auris can persist on inanimate surfaces for extended periods, sometimes for weeks, which contributes to its transmission. It can also be difficult to identify using standard laboratory methods, delaying diagnosis and infection control.
Who is Most at Risk?
Individuals most susceptible to severe Candida auris infections have underlying health conditions or extensive healthcare exposure. People with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing cancer treatment or organ transplantation, face a higher risk of developing invasive infections. Their compromised immune defenses make it harder to fight off fungal invaders.
Invasive medical devices increase vulnerability to Candida auris. Devices like central venous lines, breathing tubes, feeding tubes, and urinary catheters provide direct pathways for the fungus to enter the bloodstream or other sterile body sites. These devices bypass the body’s natural protective barriers, allowing infection to establish. Patients with prolonged hospital stays, recent surgeries, or those residing in long-term care facilities are also at heightened risk.
Frequent use of antibiotics and antifungals can disrupt the body’s natural microbiome, allowing Candida auris to thrive. This disruption can eliminate beneficial microbes that normally keep fungal populations in check, increasing the risk of colonization and subsequent infection. The combination of these factors can lead to serious, life-threatening infections in vulnerable populations.
The Risk to Healthy Individuals
For healthy individuals without specific risk factors, the likelihood of developing a severe or life-threatening Candida auris infection is very low. While healthy people can become colonized with Candida auris, meaning the fungus is present on their skin or in their body without causing illness, this does not usually lead to invasive disease. Colonization is distinct from an active infection, which involves the fungus invading tissues and causing symptoms.
Invasive Candida auris infections, which spread throughout the body and cause severe illness, are primarily observed in individuals with compromised health. If a healthy person encounters Candida auris, any infection would usually be localized, such as an ear or skin infection. These localized infections respond well to treatment and do not progress to systemic, life-threatening conditions. Therefore, the general population without underlying health vulnerabilities does not need to be concerned about severe illness from this fungus.
Protecting Yourself
Practicing good hygiene is an important step in minimizing the risk of encountering or spreading Candida auris. Frequent handwashing with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, is important, especially after visiting healthcare facilities. This practice helps remove many types of germs, including Candida auris.
Another protective measure is the responsible use of antibiotics and antifungals. These medications should only be used when medically necessary and as prescribed by a healthcare provider. Overuse or misuse of these drugs can contribute to the development of drug-resistant organisms, including Candida auris, by disrupting the body’s natural balance of microbes. Adhering to these practices supports overall well-being and reduces susceptibility to various infections.