Candidiasis

**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.

## Causes

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

A weakened, unhealthy, or young immune system may allow candidiasis to develop.  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. Antibiotic kills some bacteria, and changes the balance of microorganisms in the body. This may allow the yeast to multiply.

### Throat

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

**Oral candidiasis** is a yeast infection of the mouth.  It is located on the mucous membranes of the mouth. It is caused by _Candida albicans_, _Candida glabrata_ or _Candida tropicalis_.

### Signs

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

In healthy persons, candidiasis is usually an infection of the skin or mucous membranes. These areas include:
- the mouth (oral candidiasis)
- the vagina or vulva (vaginal candidiasis or thrush)
- folds of skin in the diaper area (diaper rash)
- the nipples while breastfeeding
- the penis or foreskin
- the armpit
- the ear
- the skin around or in the nostrils
- the ears

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.

## Other websites

- National Institute of Allergies and Infections fact sheet on vaginitis/vaginal infections
- Oral Thrush Mayo Clinic
- DermAtlas candidiasis images
- InteliHealth page on candidiasis  Presented by InteliHealth reviewed by Harvard Medical School
- Links to pictures of Yeast Infection (Hardin MD/Univ of Iowa)
- Treating a vaginal yeast infection

## Infobox (medical condition (new))

- **name**: Candidiasis
- **synonyms**: Candidosis, moniliasis, oidiomycosis
- **image**: Human tongue infected with oral candidiasis.jpg
- **image size**: 250px
- **alt**: Photo of a light-skinned human sticking tongue out where the tongue is mostly colored light yellow due to an oral candidiasis infection
- **caption**: Oral candidiasis (thrush)
- **field**: Infectious disease (medical specialty), Infectious disease
- **symptoms**: White patches or vaginal discharge, itching
- **causes**: _Candida (genus), Candida_ (a type of yeast)
- **risks**: Immunosuppression (HIV/AIDS), diabetes, corticosteroids, antibiotic therapy
- **medication**: Clotrimazole, nystatin, fluconazole
- **frequency**: 6% of babies (mouth) 75% of women at some time (vaginal)