Thrush

What is Thrush?

Symptoms

Vaginal thrush:

• Vaginal itching.
• A white cheesy-looking discharge

Oral thrush:

• Creamy, yellow, raised sores in the mouth and the throat

Mucocutaneous candidiasis:

• Red, itchy skin patches
• Redness and swelling around the nails
• Oral and vaginal thrush
• Hair loss

Systemic thrush:

• Fever
• Headache
• Weakness
• Specific symptoms indicating endocarditis, blood poisoning, meningitis or pneumonia

What causes Thrush?

Candida albicans is almost always present in the body, but bacteria that are also present usually keep it under control. Sometimes these bacteria fail in their task, allowing fungal overgrowth and infection. Thrush may develop when your resistance is low due to illness. It also occurs as a side effect of antibiotic treatment for a bacterial infection since antibiotics may destroy not only the bacteria causing the illness, but also the beneficial bacteria that control fungal growth. Thrush is particularly common in people who have diabetes, since excessive blood sugar promotes fungal growth. Oral thrush is most common in babies, the elderly, and those who are weakened by illness. In the last of these, the infection may spread to the esophagus (gullet) making swallowing difficult. The variation chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis is often associated with an endocrine hormone abnormality, such as an under active thyroid or Addison’s disease.

Systemic thrush infections are most likely to occur in:

• People with AIDS, leukemia, or poorly controlled diabetes.
• Drug abusers, including chronic alcoholics and intravenous drug addicts.
• People who are taking regular antibiotic or anticancer drugs.

What can I do to avoid Thrush?

• If you have diabetes, maintain strict control of your blood sugar levels.
• Avoid the excessive use of alcohol.
• Do not use intravenous drugs.
• Do not take any antibiotics unless prescribed by your doctor.

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