CLEVELAND — It's called Candida auris, or C. auris. It's a yeast that's behaving like bacteria. Experts blame the overuse of antibiotics for helping it get stronger and more difficult to fight.
“Resistance is increasing so we're running out of options with an already resistant organism,” says Cleveland Clinic infectious disease specialist, Ryan Miller, DO.
While most healthy people won't be impacted, it can be deadly to those with weakened immune systems.
It's usually found in healthcare settings where people are on ventilators or need ports, feeding tubes or other types of medical devices.
The fungus can get into the tube and then cause blood poisoning, or sepsis. If you have a loved one in a facility, ask if they're watching for C. auris, what are their cleaning protocols and medication use.
“Is the patient on antibiotics and do they need to be on antibiotics because when we put people on inappropriate antibiotics, we decrease the competing bacteria that crowd out the Candida auris,” Dr. Miller said.
The CDC says there are currently 79 cases in Ohio, and it's been found in nearly half of the states. The fungus easily spreads and has an extreme ability to survive on surfaces, such as walls, bedding, chairs, anything in a patient's room.
“Alcohol or bleach can kill it, but it’s important to let the sanitizer dry on its own and not wipe it off,” Dr. Miller said.
It's also important to get back to the basics.
“I don't want people to panic, but it's important to get back to the fundamentals of handwashing,” Dr. Miller said.
Nearly a third of people who get sick from C. auris die. And while healthy people may not get sick, they can bring it into a facility, which is why it's so important to wash your hands.
In addition to blood infection, C. auris can also cause ear infections and wound infections. As of now there's only one anti-fungal treatment that has the ability to fight it, but the fungus is becoming resistant to that one too.