We read the latest news, the discovery of a case in Italy, and we wonder what the killer fungus is, or the contamination by Candida auris.
There is really no respite in this historical period. That all diseases have suddenly “awakened”? It is not known. What we perceive, however, is the awareness that perhaps we really are “in the era of pandemics”as expected by several prominent figures.
Impossible not to notice, in fact, that diseases that have remained “invisible” to date are suddenly becoming more aggressive and contagious. After Covid, which seemed like the “plague of the century”, they emerge other viruses and bacteria that undermine our health. What is happening?
Le theory they are varied. From global warming to globalization, from unprotected sex to a general weakening of our immune defenses.
The fact is that now also a fungo – already known in the scientific world – could represent a serious danger. Let’s see what it is and what is happening (Also in Italy.
What is the ‘killer fungus’ or Candida auris, and what risks do we run
Until the 2019at least in Italiahad not been registered cases of infection given by this fungus. Let’s talk about a pathogen similar to Candida that we all know but that brings much more serious clinical situations. So much so that doctors have always feared uncontrolled development.
The “fear” is justified and derives from the fact that the killer fungus proved to be very resistant to “classic” treatments and above all very resistant over time on surfaces and organisms. Basically, the fungus survives very long even in hospital environments and when it comes into contact with people it is difficult to control.
Centers for the prevention and control of infectious diseases around the world have classified this fungus as “observed special” and above all as a “serious threat to global health“.
His origin it’s for the moment unknownand maybe it is the result of an abuse of antibiotics, especially in the food sector – or rather intensive farming. The fact is that so far this fungus has remained “latent” and there have never been too many serious cases. But the news of an infected patient triggered thealarm. The case was registered in a Mestre hospital (Venice)where a person was hospitalized after returning from a trip abroad.
Symptoms to watch out for
One of peculiarities of Candida auris is thevery high contagiousness. It is transmitted from person to person but above all through the contact with contaminated surfaces. Some tests performed in the past showed that the fungus was able to resist very long where the patient was hospitalized: on the mattress, in the furnishings of the room and even on windows and balconies.
The high contagiousness and the death rate (over 60%) are the reasons why the scientific world fears the spread of the fungus. Furthermore, the symptomatology is not easy to identify immediately, as it is mistaken for that caused by other fungi. Among other manifestations we find fever, muscle aches and marked weaknessas well as difficulty swallowing properly.