If you are suffering thrush for the first time, you should consult a doctor. If you have reoccurring thrush or if it returns in less than two months, consult your doctor. If your symptoms do not improve after three days, or if they have vanished within seven days, consult your doctor. Thrush is a fungal infection that can affect the mouth and throat. It may appear as white patches on the tongue or roof of the mouth, but it can also appear as red spots where there's no visible skin surface. Thrush may be brought on by factors such as diabetes, cancer chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS, or radiation therapy. It can also be caused by insufficient saliva production to wash away bacteria from teeth to tongue. This allows the fungus to grow unchecked. The best way to treat thrush is with antifungal medications. The type of medication you require will depend on what part of the body is affected. For example, if you suffer from oral thrush then your doctor will likely prescribe an oral drug like fluconazole (Diflucan) or itraconazole (Spirocin). If you suffer from esophageal thrush then your doctor may suggest a drug called fluconazole administered through a vein (intravenously).