People can get the fungus on their skin and even in their body — for example, the digestive tract — without ever getting sick. That’s called being “colonized” with the fungus. Healthcare workers who are perfectly healthy who are colonized with C. auris may unknowingly transmit it to a patient if they don’t practice proper hand hygiene.
Candida auris can also spread from person to person via contaminated objects. The fungus can survive on surfaces and equipment for an extended period, which contributes to its staying power within healthcare environments. Shared patient-care equipment and inadequate infection control practices also play roles in transmission, says Rupp.
It’s possible for the fungus to remain on the surface of a patient’s skin without causing any issues. But if that person goes on to have surgery or an invasive medical procedure (involving a catheter or ventilator, for instance), the fungus could enter the body.
In that scenario, a bloodstream infection, ear infection, urinary tract infection (UTI), or a postoperative surgical site abscess could occur. “Patients with weakened immune systems, those who’ve had recent surgeries, and those with extended hospital stays are at a higher risk,” Rupp says.
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