A Deadly Fungs Insurges As A Result of AMR
I am a microscopic organism, a member of the Candida family, but my identity remains concealed, my name shrouded in secrecy. My other family members, too, are relatively common, living on human skin and inside the body, often without any harm. But I am different; I am much less prevalent, making my presence all the more alarming when discovered.
People like you carry me unknowingly, blissfully unaware of my presence. I linger in the shadows, residing on the skin and within the depths of your body.
In the World of Medicine, I strike fear into the hearts of healthcare professionals. Hospitals, with their labyrinthine corridors and sterile rooms, offer me an ideal environment to thrive. Intravenous lines and surgical wounds provide the perfect entry points for unleashing my malevolent potential. Once inside, I can cause life-threatening infections, affecting even the strongest immune systems.
Fear not, as I am curable!. You have an array of defenses at your disposal. The first line of defense against my invasion is simple yet effective – handwashing. Thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water can rid you of my unwanted company. But if we meet again, healthcare workers will take measures to prevent my spread. They will isolate infected individuals in single rooms and equip themselves with gowns, gloves, and aprons.
If I colonize you, measures will be taken to reduce or remove my presence. An antiseptic regimen will be initiated to cleanse your skin and hair, lessening my burden upon you. For those unfortunate enough to succumb to my full-fledged infection, antifungal medications administered through intravenous lines will be employed to fight my onslaught.
I don’t want to be your enemy, but I cannot help but thrive within the confines of healthcare facilities. Your hospitals, while sanctuaries of healing, harbor me, providing fertile ground for my propagation. Yet, you hold the key to stemming my advance. Vigilance, handwashing, and adhering to infection prevention control protocols can prevent my spread.
Can you piece together the clues and guess my name?
Reference
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. (2023, July 28). Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/
