Can hand washing protect from Candida auris infection at 55?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 55 years old and a caregiver for my adult son with spina bifida. I take Methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis, so I am immunosuppressed. Last week, a patient in the hospital where I volunteer tested positive for Candida auris. Please tell me,

Should I be worried about bringing it home?
Is washing hands enough for protection?
Does it stay on clothes or hair?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Candida Auris (C. auris) can live on clothes or hair for an extended period. Healthcare providers must adhere to standard hand hygiene practices, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Patients with C. auris, whether colonized or infected, should be isolated in private rooms with contact precautions.

Also, healthcare facilities should regularly clean and disinfect patient rooms and surfaces using specific disinfectants that kill C. auris. As a healthcare staff member, you should wear gloves and gowns when providing care to patients with C. auris.

Visitors should be instructed to follow facility guidelines, including proper hand hygiene practice.

Your facility should screen patients, particularly those with risk factors, for C. auris colonization upon admission. They should notify receiving facilities when transferring patients with C. auris, allowing for prompt implementation of appropriate infection control measures. As you are immunocompromised due to rheumatoid arthritis, and your son already has spina bifida, he is at high risk. So it is better that you do the test for Candida Auris.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to ask further queries.

Thank you.