Candidiasis

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Yeast infection" redirects here. For yeast infections affecting the vagina, see vaginal yeast infection.
For the invasive form of Candidiasis, see Candidemia.
Candidiasis
Other namesCandidosis, moniliasis, oidiomycosis [1]
Photo of a light-skinned human sticking tongue out where the tongue is mostly colored light yellow due to an oral candidiasis infection
Oral candidiasis (thrush)
Medical specialtyInfectious disease
SymptomsWhite patches or vaginal discharge, itching [2][3]
CausesCandida (a type of yeast)[4]
Risk factorsImmunosuppression (HIV/AIDS), diabetes, corticosteroids, antibiotic therapy [5]
MedicationClotrimazole, nystatin, fluconazole[6]
Frequency6% of babies (mouth)[7] 75% of women at some time (vaginal)[8]

Candidiasis, often called yeast infection or thrush, is a type of infectious disease. It is a fungal infection (mycosis). The disease is caused by any of the Candida species of yeast. Candida albicans is the most common species.[9][10]

Causes[change | change source]

Candida yeasts are common in most people. The yeast is usually controlled in the body. When the yeast grows without control, an infection happens.

Agar plate culture of candida albicans

A weakened, unhealthy, or young immune system may allow candidiasis to develop.[11] HIV/AIDS, cancer treatments, steroids, stress and not enough nutrients may cause candidiasis.

Antibiotic and steroid use are the most common reason for uncontrolled yeast.[12] Antibiotic kills some bacteria, and changes the balance of microorganisms in the body. This may allow the yeast to multiply.

Candidiasis in the throat and mouth[change | change source]

Throat[change | change source]

Esophageal candidiasis is an infection of the esophagus by Candida albicans. The disease happens in unhealthy people. Sometimes people will get the infection when they are treated with chemotherapy. People with AIDS can also get this infection more often.

One sign of esophageal candidiasis is painful swallowing. Weight loss can happen when a person has esophageal candidiasis for a long time.

Mouth[change | change source]

Oral candidiasis is a yeast infection of the mouth.[13] It is located on the mucous membranes of the mouth. It is caused by Candida albicans, Candida glabrata or Candida tropicalis.

Signs[change | change source]

Candida may appear as thick white or cream-coloured areas on mucosal membranes. The infected mucosa of the mouth may look inflamed. In babies the condition is called thrush. For babies, it is usually painless and causes no pain. Adults may experience discomfort or burning sensation.

Body parts[change | change source]

In healthy persons, candidiasis is usually a very small infection of the skin or mucous membranes.[9] These areas include:

Candidiasis is a very common cause of vaginal irritation, or vaginitis. It can also occur on the penis or scrotum. In unhealthy patients, the Candida infection can affect the esophagus. It could get everywhere in the body. This would cause a much more serious health condition, a state called candidemia.[15] [16]

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ Cite error: The named reference Andrews was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  2. ↑ Cite error: The named reference CDCVaginal2019 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  3. ↑ Cite error: The named reference CDCThrush2019 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  4. ↑ Cite error: The named reference CDCCan2019 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  5. ↑ Cite error: The named reference CDC2014RiskO was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  6. ↑ Cite error: The named reference CDC2014Otx was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  7. ↑ Cite error: The named reference Oral2014Stat was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  8. ↑ Cite error: The named reference CDC2014Epi was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Walsh, Thomas J.; Dixon, Dennis M. (1996), Baron, Samuel (ed.), "Spectrum of Mycoses", Medical Microbiology (4th ed.), Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, ISBN 978-0-9631172-1-2, PMID 21413276, retrieved 2022-04-12
  10. ↑ "Medline Plus at the U.S. National Library of Medicine". Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
  11. ↑ Odds FC (1987). "Candida infections: an overview". Crit Rev Microbiol. 15 (1): 1–5. doi:10.3109/10408418709104444. PMID 3319417.
  12. ↑ "National Candida Society Article". Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2007-10-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. ↑ Medline Plus
  14. ↑ Wong, Jeremy (2008), Penile candidiasis - yes, yeast infection in men, archived from the original on 2010-02-23, retrieved 2009-01-20
  15. ↑ Pappas PG (2007). "Invasive candidiasis". Infect Dis Clin North Am. 20 (3): 485–506. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2006.07.004. PMID 16984866.
  16. ↑ Fidel PL (2002). "Immunity to Candida". Oral Dis. 8: 69–75. doi:10.1034/j.1601-0825.2002.00015.x. PMID 12164664.

Other websites[change | change source]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Candidiasis.
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