Can Candida auris isolation cause trauma at 76?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 76, and I got this Candida auris infection last month. They put me in isolation for three weeks, and I felt like I had the plague the way staff avoided coming into my room. The infection is gone now, but I feel so anxious and lonely after being alone for so long. The nightmares about being abandoned will not stop.

Could I get this fungal infection again?
Am I still contagious to others?
And is there someone I can talk to about how bad this isolation made me feel mentally?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

I am truly sorry to hear what you have been through both medically and emotionally. Candida auris is indeed a serious fungal infection, but it is important to reassure you that once the infection has been treated and cleared, as in your case, you are no longer contagious. The risk of reinfection is relatively low as long as proper hygiene and follow-up are maintained.

What touches me most, though, is the emotional impact this isolation had on you. Feeling like you were avoided or “quarantined” in a way that made you feel abandoned is deeply upsetting, and unfortunately, this happens too often. Your anxiety, loneliness, and even the nightmares you are experiencing are valid and understandable.

Please know that you do not have to face this alone. I strongly encourage you to ask for access to a mental health professional, either a psychologist connected to the care home or a geriatric psychiatrist. Mental and emotional well-being are just as important as physical recovery, and support is available.

It might also help to participate in supportive social activities or counseling sessions designed for older adults who have gone through isolation or hospitalization. Talking through your experience with someone trained to listen can be a great first step toward healing.

You deserve compassion, connection, and care. If you or your family would like medical follow-up or ongoing emotional support, I would be more than happy to assist. Please take care of yourself — your well-being matters.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.