Candidiasis (Oral Candidiasis): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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Welcome to the ultimate guide on candidiasis or oral candidiasis. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.

Description for candidiasis or oral candidiasis

A fungal infection caused by Candida, often affecting the mouth and throat.

Symptoms of candidiasis or oral candidiasis

loss of taste, painful swallowing, redness or soreness in mouth, sore throat, white patches in mouth

Precautions for candidiasis or oral candidiasis

Maintain good oral hygiene, Avoid smoking and excessive alcoho, Take antifungal medications as prescri, Limit sugary foods

Questions Covered:

what is candidiasis or oral candidiasis?
What are the usual symptoms of candidiasis or oral candidiasis?
causes of candidiasis or oral candidiasis?
What are the potential risk factors associated with candidiasis or oral candidiasis?
What are the possible complications that could arise from candidiasis or oral candidiasis?
How do doctors usually figure out if someone has candidiasis or oral candidiasis, diagnosis?
What are the ways to prevent candidiasis or oral candidiasis?

Answers:

Question: what is candidiasis or oral candidiasis?

Thrush is a yeast (fungus) infection that commonly occurs in the mouths of babies and toddlers. It's rarely serious but can pass between babies and nursing parents.
It's typical for a small amount of fungus to live in your mouth. But in some cases, the fungus may rapidly multiply and lead to a yeast infection.
Oral thrush happens when this type of yeast infection develops inside your mouth. It's also known as oral candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, or simply thrush.
Oral thrush is more common
in babies and older adults, who tend to have weaker immune systems. But it can occur at any age.
Read on to learn about oral thrush, what it can look like, who it affects, what causes it, and how it's treated.

Question: What are the usual symptoms of candidiasis or oral candidiasis?

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:
white or yellow spots on your inner cheeks, tongue, tonsils, gums, or lips
slight bleeding if the spots are scraped
soreness or burning in your mouth
a cotton-like sensation in your mouth
dry, cracked skin at the corners of your mouth
difficulty swallowing
a bad taste in your mouth
a loss of taste
redness, irritation, and pain under dentures (denture stomatitis)
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.
Learn more about the symptoms of oral thrush.
What are the symptoms of oral thrush in babies?
Oral thrush most often affects infants and toddlers. About 65%
of infants have Candida albicans (C. albicans). fungus in their mouths. About 5-7% of babies under one month old will develop the infection.
Babies can contract the fungus from their birthing parent during pregnancy, delivery, or nursing or just from yeast that is naturally present in their environment.
If your baby has oral thrush, it may develop the same signs and symptoms that can affect adults with the condition. It may also cause difficulty feeding and irritability or fussiness.
Read more about thrush in babies, as well as thrush and breastfeeding or chestfeeding.

Question: causes of candidiasis or oral candidiasis?

Oral thrush and other yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of C. albicans. It exists naturally in the microbiomes of 50%
of the population.
It's typical for a small amount of C. albicans to live in your mouth without causing harm. When your immune system is working properly, beneficial bacteria in your body help keep C. albicans under control.
But if your immune system is compromised or the balance of microorganisms in your body is disrupted, the fungus can grow out of control.

Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with candidiasis or oral candidiasis?

Oral thrush is the most common opportunistic infection in people living with HIV. It can also develop with other conditions or medications that weaken your immune system, such as:
cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy
cancer like leukemia
uncontrolled diabetes
Other risk factors include:
being a baby or older adult
having a condition that causes dry mouth
taking corticosteroids, or immunosuppressant drugs
smoking
wearing dentures
taking antibiotics

Question: What are the possible complications that could arise from candidiasis or oral candidiasis?

If your immune system is weakened, you're more likely to develop complications from thrush.
Without proper treatment, the fungus that causes thrush may enter your bloodstream and spread to your heart, brain, eyes, or other body parts. This is known as invasive or systemic candidiasis.
Systemic candidiasis can cause problems in the organs it affects. It can also cause
a potentially life threatening condition known as septic shock.

Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has candidiasis or oral candidiasis, diagnosis?

Your doctor may be able to diagnose oral thrush simply by taking a history of your symptoms
and examining your mouth for the characteristic lesions that it causes.
They may do a biopsy of the affected area to confirm the diagnosis. They may also do a throat swab culture or endoscopy to see if you have a fungal infection in your throat or esophagus.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool.

Question: What are the ways to prevent candidiasis or oral candidiasis?

To reduce your risk of oral thrush, try the following:
Avoid sharing cups and utensils with others.
Eat a nutritious diet and practice an overall healthy lifestyle to support the functioning of your immune system.
Practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing every day, and visiting your dentist on a regular basis.
If your mouth is chronically dry, make an appointment with your doctor and follow their recommended treatment plan.
If you have dentures, remove them before you go to bed, clean them daily, and ensure they fit properly.
If you have a corticosteroid inhaler, rinse out your mouth or brush your teeth after using it.
If you have diabetes, take steps to manage your blood sugar levels.
If you develop a yeast infection in another part of your body other than your mouth, get treatment. In some cases, an infection can spread from one part of your body to another.
Get more tips for managing the risk of yeast infection while breastfeeding or chestfeeding.

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Conclusion & Takeaways

Learning about candidiasis or oral candidiasis is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.