What is Candida auris fungus, its danger, and how to treat it?

Candida is a genus of fungi that lives on the surface of the skin and inside the human body. Candida is an uncommon type of fungus that can cause a serious infection.

Most people who carry this type of fungus in their bodies do not become ill from it, but it can sometimes lead to serious infections that affect the bloodstream, wounds, and ears. People who carry this type of fungus are considered lifelong carriers, according to the Australian BetterHealth website.

These infections are of concern because they are more difficult to treat than other Candida infections, as these fungi are often drug-resistant.

(CNN) -- Ear fungi are also characterized by their ability to be transmitted from one person to another more easily compared to other types of Candida. For this reason, these fungi can cause problems within hospitals and care homes, where infections can be transmitted from one patient to another or through shared equipment.

Risk factors associated with ear fungus

In healthy people, Candida auris colonization in the body does not usually lead to health problems; People may carry this fungus on their skin without showing any symptoms. However, these individuals are at risk of developing Candida auris infection if they are hospitalized for another reason or treated with antibiotics.

For some people, such as those who suffer from a weak or defective immune system or who have other diseases and health conditions, this fungus may pose a serious problem, as it can cause a severe infection in the bloodstream, wounds, or ears.

The possibility of infection with the Candida auris fungus increases in patients who:

Treatment of Candida aureus infection

Most infections can be treated with antifungal medications known as echinocandina. However, some infections with this type of fungus are resistant to the main types of antifungals, making them more difficult to treat; in such cases, several types of antifungals in high doses may be required to treat the infection.

Because there is currently no evidence that fungal colonization can be eliminated with antifungals, treatment is neither necessary nor recommended for people who are found to carry Candida auris but have no symptoms or signs of infection.

Giving antifungals to people who have fungal colonization but do not have an active infection may involve risks and may increase the likelihood of infection.