Overview

This information is about testing and controlling the spread of Candidozyma auris (C. auris), previously known as Candida auris. 

C. auris is a type of micro-organism (germ). There are lots of micro-organisms on our skin and in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. Most of them are harmless, some are beneficial, and a very small proportion can cause harm.

Candida is a large family of fungi that lives on human skin and inside the body. C. auris is much less common than other types of Candida and is resistant to some antifungal treatments.

Some people carry Candida, but do not know because they have no symptoms, and it does not harm them. We call these people “carriers”.

Candida and other micro-organisms can cause problems in hospitals. Sometimes medical treatments, such as operations and intravenous lines (drips), can let micro-organisms enter the body. Occasionally, they can get into surgical wounds or the bloodstream and may cause serious infections that can be life-threatening and need treatment.

Testing for C. auris

You’ll need to be tested for C. auris if:

• you have had an overnight stay in a healthcare facility outside of the UK in the past 12 months
• you are transferred from another healthcare setting (including from any of our hospital sites)
• you have previously tested positive for C. auris
• you have been identified as a contact and require screening as part of the contact tracing process

What happens during testing

You may be tested for C. auris on admission, weekly and on discharge as part of your hospital care.

A nurse will take swabs from your nose, armpit, and groin. If you have a urinary catheter in place, they may also take a urine sample. We need at least 3 clear (negative) test results after you have left a contact area to be sure you're not a carrier. 

You may be moved into a single room, or a ward bay with other patients who have also been in direct contact with C. auris.

If you have a C. auris infection or if you are a carrier

If you have a C. auris infection, or are a carrier, you’ll usually be cared for in a single room while you're in hospital. This is to help prevent the spread of C. auris to other patients. 

If you're a carrier for C. auris you may be treated with antiseptic wash, to reduce the amount on your hair and skin. 

If you have an infection caused by C. auris, it's usually treated with antifungal medicines.

How C.auris is spread

If people have C. auris on their hands, they can transfer it to people and objects that they touch. This means other people can then pick it up on their hands.  

Controlling the spread of C. auris

To prevent the spread of C. auris, our staff will:

• wash their hands before and after contact with every patient
• test patients to identify who are carriers
• use single rooms for patients who are infected with, or are carriers of C. auris. If no single rooms are available, patients may be cared for together in a separate bay
• make sure health professionals wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as an apron or gloves when caring for patients who have infections or are carriers of C. auris
• clean surfaces and equipment that may be contaminated with C. auris

How you can help prevent the spread of C. auris

The best way to prevent the spread of C. auris is to wash your hands regularly, especially after using the toilet and before eating food. You should also avoid touching any areas of broken skin or wound dressings.

C. auris and visitors

C. auris does not usually cause infections in healthy people. However, visitors should wash their hands before and after touching patients or anything around the bedside, and they may be asked to wear plastic aprons and gloves when visiting.

Leaving hospital

If you have an infection, it will be treated before you are discharged. If you're a carrier, no special measures or treatment are required when you go home.

If you're admitted to hospital, you should let the hospital staff know that you are or have been a carrier.