What You NEED to Know About Recent Deadly Fungus
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted April 23, 2023
The headlines alone are enough to keep you up at night.
“Deadly Fungus Invades US Hospitals!”
I’ve been asked a lot if the spread of Candida auris is getting so much attention lately because of the popularity of The Last of Us, a TV show where fungi take over people’s brains, turning them into zombies.
Or is it because there’s a genuine threat?
Well, to be honest, it’s a little of both.
Let’s take a look.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a statement that Candida auris (a fungus) is spreading rapidly in the United States.
Also, number of patients with Candida auris resistant to antifungal medicines (echinocandins) has TRIPLED in the last year.
If this sounds familiar, I’m not surprised. We have a bit of a déjà vu situation here.
Much like antibiotic resistance, when bacteria become resistant to the drugs used to fight them, fungal resistance is a real threat to people in hospitals.
Notice that I said, “in hospitals.”
Like many superbugs, these superfungi are found almost entirely in healthcare settings where they can spread between patients.
Antifungal cleaning products haven’t been standard practice in many hospitals in the past. But with the rise in fungal infections, this thankfully appears to be changing.
Also, testing for fungi is becoming more common, which naturally leads to more positive results. So this accounts for some of the increase in cases.
So, HOW big of a threat is Candida auris to you? Not much.
Unless…
- you’re going to hospitals often
- you’re very sick
- you take medications that affect your immune system
- you have an invasive medical device (such as an IV, urinary catheter, PICC line, gastrostomy tube, etc.)
In other words, if you’re basically healthy and stay out of the hospital, then you don’t have to worry.
But, if you DO have one or more of the risk factors I mentioned earlier, talk with your doctor about the steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting a fungal infection.
If you find yourself in the hospital, ask about the facility’s infection control plan.
And NEVER be shy about asking hospital staff to change gloves before entering your room or to rewash their hands before treating you. Doing so might save your life.
P.S. Candida auris isn’t the only threat you face in the hospital. A killer disease is taking the lives of hundreds of hospitalized Americans each day… many of them are seniors. But you don’t have to be one of its victims. CLICK HERE for the details.
Source:
CDC: Increasing Threat of Spread of Antimicrobial-resistant Fungus in Healthcare Facilities
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/p0320-cauris.html
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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