Candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeast a type of fungus called Candida. Candida normally lives on the skin and inside the body, in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing any problems. Candidiasis in the mouth and throat is also called thrush or oropharyngeal candidiasis. Candidiasis in the esophagus the tube that connects the throat to the stomach is called esophageal candidiasis or Candida esophagitis.
When to seek medical advice
Latest news
Oral thrush happens when a yeast infection develops inside your mouth. Oral thrush most often occurs in infants and toddlers. It causes white or yellowish bumps to form on the inner cheeks and tongue. Those bumps usually go away with treatment. The infection is typically mild and rarely causes serious problems. But in people with weakened immune systems, it can spread to other parts of the body and cause potentially serious complications. In its early stages, oral thrush may not cause any symptoms. But as the infection gets worse, one or more of the following symptoms may develop:. In some cases, oral thrush can affect your esophagus, though this is uncommon. The same fungus that causes oral thrush can also cause yeast infections in other parts of your body.
related stories
It is most commonly caused by the fungus Candida albicans , but may also be caused by Candida glabrata or Candida tropicalis. For the majority of individuals, oral thrush does not cause any serious problems. However, this is not the case for people with a weakened immune system, whose signs and symptoms may be much more severe. The outcome for oral thrush is generally very good. Most people respond well to treatment. However, oral thrush tends to reappear, especially if the causal factor smoking, for instance is not removed. In this article, we will cover all aspects of oral thrush, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Diagnosis of thrush depends on the location and identifying whether there is an underlying cause. The goal of any oral thrush treatment is to stop the rapid spread of the fungus, but the best approach may depend on your age, your overall health and the cause of the infection. Eliminating underlying causes, when possible, can prevent recurrence. Thrush may return even after it's been treated if the underlying cause, such as poorly disinfected dentures or inhaled steroid use, isn't addressed. You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or pediatrician. However, if you have an underlying condition that's contributing to the problem, you may be referred to a specialist for treatment. The doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on.
