Thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by the candida fungus, also known as yeast. The infection is caused when the body has a lack of ability to control levels of yeast. The overgrowth of candida causes thrush. The infection could be spread by kissing or performing oral on an on individual with this condition. Thrush isn’t classified as an STD.
Infection:
Candida infection is not limited to the mouth; it can occur in other parts of the body as well, causing diaper rash in infants or vaginal yeast infections in women.Thrush can affect anyone, though it occurs most often in babies and toddlers, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Thrush usually develops suddenly, but it may become chronic, persisting over a long period of time.
Symptoms
A common sign of thrush is the presence of creamy white, slightly raised lesions in your mouth - usually on your tongue or inner cheeks - but also sometimes on the roof of your mouth, gums, tonsils, or back of your throat. The lesions, which may have a "cottage cheese" appearance, can be painful and may bleed slightly when you scrape them or brush your teeth. In severe cases, the lesions may spread into your esophagus, or swallowing tube, causing:
- • Pain or difficulty swallowing
- • A feeling that food gets stuck in the throat or mid-chest area
- • Fever, if the infection spreads beyond the esophagus
- • Itching feeling around the area of infection
Thrush can spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs, liver, and skin. This happens more often in people with cancer, HIV, or other conditions that weaken the immune system.
Related Herpes information:
- HSV-1 / HSV-2
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Chlamydia
- Thrush
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea