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PATIENT EDUCATION | INFORMATION SERIES Candidemia ( ) and Other Candida is the single most important of fungal infections worldwide. In the U.S., Candida is the 4th most common cause of bloodstream infection that can develop while you are in a hospital (also called “nosocomial” infection or hospital acquired infection). There are 17 different of Candida. Of these, (C. albicans), C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis are the most common species.

Where in my body can I get a ■■ have a central line in place Candida infection? ■■ have had abdominal Candida infection can happen in almost any part of ■■ have severe your body. Usually it develops on mucous membranes ■■ have needing dialysis (in the , genitals, etc.) but the infection can ■■ are being treated with for bacterial also be in your bloodstream. When Candida is in your infection bloodstream, the condition is called Candidemia. CLIP AND COPY AND CLIP Candida infection can spread from your bloodstream who are very are also at risk for to other parts of your body (such as your eyes, kidney, developing Candidemia. , and brain). If this happens, it is called Invasive Finally, persons who inject themselves with illicit Candidemia. are also at risk for developing Candidemia. Who is higher risk of getting Candida infections? How can I get Candidemia? People who are healthy do not usually get In the hospital, up to 10% of Candidemia. Healthy people however, may get a are caused by the Candida. Most often, Candida infection in their mouth (called thrush) from Candidemia develops within 3 weeks of being taking certain drugs such as inhaled admitted to an (ICU) especially used to treat and COPD. You are at higher risk if you have other risk factors. You can also get of developing Candidemia if you: Candidemia outside of the hospital if you are sent ■■ are hospitalized, especially in the ICU for home from the hospital with a central venous several days or if you are on . (For more information see the ATS Patient Information ■■ have a weakened (for example, Series fact sheet on .) from being extremely ill, receiving chemotherapy, or having had a transplant) What are the of Candidemia? ■■ are diabetic Signs and symptoms of Candida infection depend ■■ receive corticosteroids upon the site of infection. However, if you have

Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol. 200, P9-P10, 2019 ATS Patient Education Series © 2019 American Thoracic Society www.thoracic.org American Thoracic Society

PATIENT EDUCATION | INFORMATION SERIES

Candidemia, you may have one or more of the prevent all kinds of infections, from colds and flu, following: to Candida. Also, if a person has a central venous • , chills catheter, the healthcare team needs to be especially careful to practice good handwashing and check the • catheter regularly for signs of infection. If you are • generalized weakness or at special or high risk for getting Candidemia, you • low blood pressure may be treated with an to • muscle aches prevent you from getting the infection. This is called “prophylactic” treatment. Prophylactic treatment • vision changes or signs of an eye infection with an antifungal does not work for everyone • and neurological deficits and every medication has risks as well. The decision to • abdominal pain treat you is based on the likely benefits of preventing an infection compared to the risk of making you sick How is Candidemia diagnosed? from the themselves. Candidemia is diagnosed by taking a blood sample and finding Candida in your blood. In many cases, Author: Ernestine Kotthoff-Burrell PhD, ANP the species found is Candida albicans, however, Reviewers: Bonnie Fahy RN, MN; Suzanne Lareau RN, other species of Candida, such as , MS; Chadi Hage MD; Marianna Sockrider MD, DrPH C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis can be found in your blood. is most commonly found in children. The diagnosis can also be made by R Action Steps detecting of Candida in the blood stream. ✔✔Call your healthcare provider if you have How is Candidemia treated? risk factors for getting a fungal infection Because Candidemia can cause a serious, life and develop a fever, or any other signs and threatening illness, treatment is usually begun when an symptoms of infection (for example, redness, infection is suspected. Treatment includes finding the warmth or drainage from the catheter site). source of the infection and if possible, removing it (for Healthcare Provider’s Contact Number: example the central venous catheter) and beginning treatment with medication. Although Candida infections of the mucosal surfaces (mouth and ) are usually easy to treat, treatment of Candidemia can be Resources challenging, especially when the infection has spread American Thoracic Society to other organs (eye, brain or kidneys) and if there is a • www.thoracic.org/patients/ central venous catheter in place. ––Central venous catheter There are a number of medications that can be ––Asthma ––COPD used to treat Candida infections. The medications include: , , a drug from the NORD—National Organization for Rare Disorders • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/candidiasis/ group (such as , or micagungin) or . The type of antifungal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) drug used will depend on how sick you are or the species • https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/ of Candida most likely causing your infection. index.html What can be done to prevent This information is a public service of the American Thoracic Society. The content is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a getting Candidemia? substitute for the medical advice of one’s healthcare provider. Everyone should practice good , including members of the healthcare team, to

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