Candidiasis of the mouth and throat is also known as thrush or oropharyngeal candidiasis. This is a fungal infection that happens when there is an overgrowth of the yeast called Candida. This Candida is normally found on the skin or mucous membranes but it’s held in check by specific bacteria. However if the environment inside the mouth or throat become imbalanced by the use of antibiotics, or in the case of an infant by the use of antibiotics in the mother of a nursing infant, symptoms of thrush can appear.

Candida overgrowth can also develop in the esophagus which is called esophageal candidiasis. Thrush can affect normal newborns, people with dentures and people who used it inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of lung inflammation. Although it occurs more frequently and more severely in people with a weakened immune system people who are otherwise healthy can also suffer the symptoms when they used antibiotics.

People with thrush infections usually have painless white patches in the mouth. Others can have redness and soreness or cracking in the corner of the mouth. In some cases thrush can travel down the esophagus causing pain and difficulty swallowing.

Oral thrush is often diagnosed based on clinical appearance of the mouth and by taking a scraping of the white patches and looking at it under a microscope. In some cases a culture may be performed in order to fully differentiate the type of medication needed to treat the organism. Because Candida organisms are normal inhabitants of the human now a positive culture for Candida, a diagnosis.

In infancy prescription treatments are used in order to treat oral thrush. If the incident is nursing then the medication may also be used on mom’s breast and to as an oral anti-fungal for the mother. Some common medications which are used are nystatin or a fluconazole. For infections which do not respond to these treatments, normally and older children or adults other anti-fungal drugs are available.

Candidiasis fungal infections are gradually becoming resistant to anti-fungal treatment over time. It is important to see your healthcare practitioner for evaluation and treatment if you believe that you or your child has an oral candidiasis or Candida esophagitis. Symptoms can be a comfortable and may persist. In rare cases, the candidiasis will go on to become a systemic infection causing other symptoms and potentially inflaming other illnesses or diseases.