Candidemia: what it is and why quick action matters

Candidemia is a bloodstream infection caused by Candida yeast. It sounds rare, but in hospitalized patients it’s one of the more common fungal bloodstream infections. This isn’t a mild skin fungus — when Candida gets into the blood, it can spread to organs and cause serious illness quickly. If you or a loved one is in the hospital with fever and a central line, it’s worth knowing the basics.

How candidemia shows up

Symptoms can be subtle at first. People often have fever that doesn’t respond to antibiotics, chills, low blood pressure, or confusion. If the infection reaches the eyes or heart, symptoms become more specific — blurred vision or shortness of breath, for example. Risk factors help doctors decide how worried to be: having a central venous catheter (IV line), recent major surgery, long ICU stays, broad‑spectrum antibiotics, chemotherapy, diabetes, or a weakened immune system all raise the risk.

How doctors diagnose and treat it

Diagnosis starts with blood cultures. Labs look for Candida growing from a blood sample — that’s the gold standard. Some hospitals also use tests like beta‑D‑glucan to spot fungal components faster, but cultures guide exact species ID and drug choices. Once candidemia is suspected or confirmed, time matters. The first step is usually removing or replacing any infected central line if possible — that can stop the infection source.

Initial drug treatment typically uses an echinocandin (such as caspofungin, micafungin, or anidulafungin). These work well against most Candida strains and are preferred in seriously ill patients. After the organism and its drug sensitivities are known, doctors may switch to an oral azole like fluconazole for easier long‑term therapy. Treatment length depends on where the infection spread, but a common course runs at least two weeks after blood cultures turn negative and symptoms improve. Your care team will watch for complications in the heart, eyes, and other organs and may order follow‑up exams like eye checks or echocardiograms.

Preventing candidemia focuses on basic but powerful steps. Hospitals can cut cases by strict hand hygiene, careful catheter care, removing unnecessary lines fast, and avoiding unnecessary broad‑spectrum antibiotics. For patients, speaking up about catheter pain or fever and asking staff about line checks can help. People with weakened immune systems should keep appointments and follow antifungal guidance when prescribed.

If you see persistent fever in a hospital setting, especially with a central line or after surgery, ask whether candidemia has been considered. Early diagnosis and proper treatment make a big difference in outcomes. If you want, check our site for related posts on bloodstream infections, catheter care, and antifungal medications to learn more.