When people discover that there is a specific type of microorganism in their body, it is normal for them to ask whether it will have an adverse impact on their health. Candida can cause infections with symptoms ranging from discomfort to pain. That is why it makes sense to ask whether it can lead to death. Here is the detailed answer to this question.
Natural Occurrence
When candida is passed from the mother to the child during birth, it goes into the gastrointestinal tract and becomes part of the intestinal microflora. It usually stays there throughout the entire life of the person. As part of the gut microflora, it participates in the absorption of nutrients and other important metabolic processes. When it is effectively controlled by the body, it does not cause any harm to it whatsoever. It is not lethal.
Infection Types
The most common types of candida infections, which are vaginal candidiasis and oropharyngeal candidiasis, cannot cause death. These infections can cause serious discomfort and pain, but they typically do not have any kinds of complications. They are effectively treated with antifungal medications. The recovery period is usually quite short.
Invasive candidiasis, also known as candidemia, is a much more serious condition compared to fungal overgrowth in the mouth or the vagina. It involves the spreading of candida cells to vital organs of the body such as the liver, the kidneys and the brain via the bloodstream. When the cells reach these organs, they cause damage and malfunctioning. This condition can cause death.
There is no all-encompassing statistical data to determine a precise candidemia mortality rate. One of the most recent studies has shown that it is around 34%. This means that approximately one in three people affected by the condition dies. The chances of survival of patients are determined primarily by how quickly adequate treatment is provided. If the patient is not treated for the spread of candida around the body within 48 hours of the start of the process, the risk of death is extremely high. The mortality rate for patients who have not received treatment within 48 hours is 78%.
Body Disbalance
In case there is overgrowth of candida in the gastrointestinal tract, this can cause disbalance of the intestinal microflora and consequently of the body. Cells cannot get the optimal amount of nutrients and the presence of chemical disbalance weakens the natural protective forces of the body at cellular level. These problems can linger on for quite some time without causing any noticeable physical symptoms. They are not deadly in their nature, but they can increase the risk of serious diseases. This is because the body cannot fight effectively the free radicals which cause cell damage and consequently these conditions.
While candida is not lethal in most cases, the seriousness of its overgrowth in the body must not be underestimated. When there are symptoms of infection, they must be reported to a doctor right away so that timely medical treatment is provided. With healthy diet and lifestyle in general, disbalance can be effectively prevented.