The New Superbug We Should All be Watching

It seems like everywhere we go, we need to be careful not to catch a potential new bug. Some we might not even know we already have. One we may want to be particularly aware of is Candida auris or C. auris. It's a superbug that's making waves in the antibiotic-resistant world. C. auris poses a significant infection risk to sensitive areas of the body. It’s a fungal infection that loves to attack skin surfaces and raises infection risks to existing wounds, making healing harder. Here’s what we know about this yeasty superbug.

What is C. Auris?

Candida auris, or C. auris, is a type of fungus that's been newly identified within the past decade. It derives from the yeast family. Some yeasts already live on our skin and in our guts as part of our natural flora and fauna. This particular type, though, can do more harm than good. 

When someone thinks of yeast, they may think of a vaginal yeast infection, a skin infection that causes an itchy, smelly rash or they may think of thrush, which happens inside the mouth. We can easily treat many yeast conditions with antifungal medicines. But C. auris is in another league of its own, and it's a dangerous one. 

C. auris may easily spread from person to person through skin contact and might enter the bloodstream via wounds to attack vulnerable areas. Worse, it can result in ulcerations on existing wounds and attack healthy skin around these areas. 

Candida Auris is a Global Health Threat

The CDC considers C. auris a global health threat. It poses an urgent threat to humans because of its antibiotic-resistant qualities. In fact, some strains are resistant to all three classes of antifungal medications generally used to treat yeast infections.  

Additionally, the CDC believes C. auris to be a serious threat because laboratory tests don’t easily detect it, and it has caused outbreaks in hospital settings. Estimates have shown that 30 to 60 percent of people infected with C. auris have died. 

Who is at Risk of Contracting Candida Auris?

Many people are at considerable risk of contracting this yeast. Factors that put us at higher risk tan average include:

• Recently undergoing surgery
• Being diabetic
• Having a compromised immune system
• Using antibiotics frequently 
• Spending time in a hospital or a long-term care facility, like a nursing home or rehabilitation center
• Using a breathing tube, feeding tube or Foley (bladder) or venous catheters 

C. Auris is Highly Contagious

Virologists consider this yeast infection very contagious because it has become resistant to most antifungals and average antibiotics. It also lives on the skin’s surface, meaning transmission through casual contact becomes more likely. Once contracted, C. auris creates an imbalance in the body’s microbiota, causing the yeast to spread like wildfire through the body, making it difficult to treat. 

Although this yeast is contagious, practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent it. Cover open wounds and sores and change dressings daily, wash the entire body daily and practice good hand-washing techniques to avoid cross-contamination. And check with a dermatologist if you find new or concerning areas on the skin.

Another drug-resistant bug potentially spiking the number of infections it causes was not on anybody’s wish list. Still, the best way to deal with any new pathogen is to educate ourselves, take preventative measures, and be proactive. Skin changes that don’t diminish, like ulcerations, itching or redness, are reason enough to see a healthcare professional right away. Treatment may require a combination of techniques, diligence and patience, especially for the immune-compromised, but there is hope. And as with most health crises, prevention is our best path forward. 

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