:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/7VMSAERKUBCX7IMY5CQF4ZK5D4.jpg "Candida auris: the severity of a fungal infection")
Candida auris infection has activated all medical alerts in USA due to the increase in cases between 2019 and 2021, suspecting that it would have occurred as an indirect consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing all efforts on treating the numerous cases of coronavirus, the correct disinfection would not have been given to keep the fungus C. auris out.
One of the first records was given in 2009, when it was detected in the ear of a 70-year-old Japanese patient. Immediately, measures were taken and, from time to time, alerts are usually given about the care that must be maintained to prevent vulnerable people from becoming infected.
What exactly is C. auris? according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “It is a type of fungus that can cause serious illness in hospitalized patients”. The symptoms, according to official information, are not usually noticed because it affects people in a complicated health situation, making it difficult to detect an affectation under which they are already being treated.
“Because symptoms can vary widely, a laboratory test is needed to determine if the patient has a C. auris infection.”, recommends the CDC. It’s a complicated infection. but can it cause more complications in people with other medical problems?
A serious patient in a hospital bed (Photo: AFP)
HOW SERIOUS IS A CANDIDA AURIS INFECTION?
Candida auris infection can trigger even death, according to information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. By infecting people with a complex medical diagnosis, it often aggravates the situation and triggers an unfavorable outcome for patients.
“Any invasive infection, including bloodstream infection, by any species of the genus Candida, can be serious and even fatal. Many people who have died with C. auris had other serious illnesses that increased their risk of death.”explains the CDC on a frequently asked question the severity of C. auris.
Although the severity of the fungal infectionthere is also a treatment that involves the use of echinocandins, antifungals that can stop the advance of Candida Auris. High doses of these strong drugs, always under medical supervision, is recommended in these situations, according to the CDC.
:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/5DMMVNSI6RA2NCWJCONXYOTUXE.jpg "Candida auris: the severity of a fungal infection")
Medical staff injecting a needle into a patient (Photo: AFP)
HOW IS CANDIDA AURIS SPREAD?
People can be infected by Candida Auris directly or indirectly, therefore it is recommended that, when having someone close to the fungus, avoid all contact if the necessary care is not taken, such as gloves and constant hand washing.
He C. aurisusually infects people who are already seriously ill, such as cancer patients or diabetes, but healthy people can not be neglected in the measures to avoid having the virus. fungus.
