How risky is Candida auris for kids in the ICU?

Question

Hello doctor,

My 3-year-old daughter has been hospitalized for severe pneumonia. We were just informed that her unit has a Candida auris outbreak. She is on a ventilator in the PICU and is now isolated with a dedicated nursing team. The hospital administration has been vague about the situation. They mentioned “several cases” but will not provide specifics.

The child in the room next door died yesterday, but the staff will not confirm if it was related. In simple terms, how dangerous is this for a previously healthy child? What questions should I be asking her doctors? They have started some preventive antifungal treatment, but mentioned that there are limited options for babies. Can I still touch her? Should we consider transferring her to a different hospital despite the risks of moving a critically ill patient?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

Candida auris can cause problems in hospitals and nursing homes, as it can spread from one patient to another or from shared objects or the environment. Candida auris is often resistant to antifungal medicines, making it very difficult to treat. It is an emerging fungal pathogen associated with hospital infections and is considered a serious global health threat.

Candida is transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. C. auris isolates are often resistant to Fluconazole and have variable susceptibility to other antifungal agents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends Echinocandins as empiric therapy for confirmed C. auris infections. It is necessary to isolate C. auris from the community to obtain accurate species identification.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.