Candida Auris Infection
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
What you need to know about a Candida auris (C. auris) infection:
C. auris is a type of fungus that can live on a person's body without causing health problems. The fungus can cause an ear, wound, or bloodstream infection. An infection can become severe in a patient who is in a hospital or nursing home. C. auris can be spread through contact with an object or surface that has the fungus on it. It can also spread from person to person. C. auris can become resistant to antifungal medicines. This can make an infection hard to treat.
Signs and symptoms of a C. auris infection:
A bloodstream infection can cause confusion or other mental problems. Without treatment, it can lead to a coma and become life-threatening. An infection in another part of your body can cause any of the following:
- An ear infection that causes pain, fluid, and loss of hearing
- A fever and chills
- Feeling tired and weak (fatigue)
- A wound infection
- In women, itching and drainage from your vagina
Call your doctor if:
- You have a fever and chills that continue after treatment.
- Someone in your home develops signs and symptoms of a C. auris infection.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Treatment
depends on where you have the infection, and your overall health. Antifungal medicines are used to treat an infection. You may be given several types of antifungal medicines if the C. auris in your body becomes resistant. While you are in the hospital or nursing home, healthcare providers will take precautions to keep from spreading C. auris from you to others. Providers will wear gowns and gloves while they give you care. They will leave medical devices such as a stethoscope in your room. The devices will only be used for your care. The providers will also wash their hands before and after they give you care. Anyone who visits you will also follow safety precautions.
What you can do to prevent a C. auris infection:
C. auris is not usually a problem for healthy people. You should still use precautions at home to help prevent the spread of C. auris. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long to continue. The precautions you use at home will be similar to the precautions used in the hospital or nursing home:
- Keep your hands clean. Hand sanitizer that contains alcohol is the best way to prevent a C. auris infection. You can also wash your hands with soap and running water. You, your visitors, and everyone in your home should clean his or her hands often. Make sure anyone who helps take care of you washes before and after giving care.
- Have anyone who helps you wear disposable gloves. The person should remove the gloves and discard them in a lined trash can after caring for you.
- Wash items you use. Your dishes, bedding, and other items you use should be washed in hot water. Surfaces such as countertops, toilets, and faucets need to be cleaned with a disinfecting solution.
- Stay in your own room or area in your house, if possible. This will help limit the spread of C. auris around your home.
- Tell providers about your C. auris infection. You may continue to have the fungus even after treatment. Even if it is not making you sick, you can still pass it to others. Tell all healthcare providers, including your dentist, before you go in for care. They may need to take precautions to keep their staff and other patients safe. Also tell anyone who admits you to a hospital or nursing home for care. Anyone who takes care of you regularly at home might carry C. auris to a hospital or nursing home. If the person is being admitted, he or she needs to tell providers about the care provided to you.
- Use antibiotics carefully. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to a C. auris infection. The following are ways to lower your risk:
- Do not ask your healthcare provider to prescribe antibiotics. Your provider can recommend other treatments based on your illness. An example includes over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Take antibiotics as directed. Do not skip any doses or stop taking your antibiotic, even if you feel better before you are done. Finish the entire course of your antibiotic unless your healthcare provider tells you to stop.
- Get rid of any unused antibiotics. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist how to get rid of unused antibiotics. Do not share your antibiotic with another person. Do not take a leftover antibiotic for another illness without talking to your healthcare provider.
- Ask about vaccines you may need. Vaccines can help prevent certain infections. Get a yearly flu vaccine as soon as recommended each year, usually in September or October. Ask about other vaccines you may need, such as vaccines to prevent pneumonia, COVID-19, and meningitis.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
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