Candidiasis

"Yeast infection" redirects here. For yeast infections affecting the vagina, see vaginal yeast infection.
"Thrush (disease)" redirects here. For the infection in horses, see Thrush (horse).
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)
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 is a fungal infection due to any species of the genus Candida (a yeast).[4] When it affects the mouth, in some countries it is commonly called thrush.[3] Signs and symptoms include white patches on the tongue or other areas of the mouth and throat.[3] Other symptoms may include soreness and problems swallowing.[9] When it affects the vagina, it may be referred to as a yeast infection or thrush.[2][10] Signs and symptoms include genital itching, burning, and sometimes a white "cottage cheese-like" discharge from the vagina.[11] Yeast infections of the penis are less common and typically present with an itchy rash.[11] Very rarely, yeast infections may become invasive, spreading to other parts of the body.[12] This may result in fevers, among other symptoms.[12]

More than 20 types of Candida may cause infection with Candida albicans being the most common.[13] Infections of the mouth are most common among children less than one month old, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems.[5] Conditions that result in a weak immune system include HIV/AIDS, the medications used after organ transplantation, diabetes, and the use of corticosteroids.[5] Other risk factors include during breastfeeding, following antibiotic therapy, and the wearing of dentures.[5][14] Vaginal infections occur more commonly during pregnancy, in those with weak immune systems, and following antibiotic therapy.[15] Individuals at risk for invasive candidiasis include low birth weight babies, people recovering from surgery, people admitted to intensive care units, and those with an otherwise compromised immune system.[16]

Efforts to prevent infections of the mouth include the use of chlorhexidine mouthwash in those with poor immune function and washing out the mouth following the use of inhaled steroids.[6] Little evidence supports probiotics for either prevention or treatment, even among those with frequent vaginal infections.[17][18] For infections of the mouth, treatment with topical clotrimazole or nystatin is usually effective.[6] Oral or intravenous fluconazole, itraconazole, or amphotericin B may be used if these do not work.[6] A number of topical antifungal medications may be used for vaginal infections, including clotrimazole.[19] In those with widespread disease, an echinocandin such as caspofungin or micafungin is used.[20] A number of weeks of intravenous amphotericin B may be used as an alternative.[20] In certain groups at very high risk, antifungal medications may be used preventively,[16][20] and concomitantly with medications known to precipitate infections.

Infections of the mouth occur in about 6% of babies less than a month old.[7] About 20% of those receiving chemotherapy for cancer and 20% of those with AIDS also develop the disease.[7] About three-quarters of women have at least one yeast infection at some time during their lives.[8] Widespread disease is rare except in those who have risk factors.[21]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Andrews was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "Vaginal Candidiasis". Fungal Diseases. United States: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 13 November 2019. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 24 Dec 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Candida infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus". Fungal Diseases. United States: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 13 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 24 Dec 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Candidiasis". Fungal Diseases. United States: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 13 November 2019. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 24 Dec 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d "Risk & Prevention". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d "Treatment & Outcomes of Oral Candidiasis". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "Oral Candidiasis Statistics". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Genital / vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  9. ^ "Symptoms of Oral Candidiasis". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  10. ^ "Thrush in men and women". nhs.uk. 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Symptoms of Genital / Vulvovaginal Candidiasis". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Symptoms of Invasive Candidiasis". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  13. ^ "Candidiasis". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  14. ^ Walker M (2008). "Conquering common breast-feeding problems". The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing. 22 (4): 267–74. doi:10.1097/01.JPN.0000341356.45446.23. PMID 19011490. S2CID 27801867.
  15. ^ "People at Risk for Genital / Vulvovaginal Candidiasis". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  16. ^ a b "People at Risk for Invasive Candidiasis". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  17. ^ Jurden L, Buchanan M, Kelsberg G, Safranek S (June 2012). "Clinical inquiries. Can probiotics safely prevent recurrent vaginitis?". The Journal of Family Practice. 61 (6): 357, 368. PMID 22670239.
  18. ^ Abad CL, Safdar N (June 2009). "The role of lactobacillus probiotics in the treatment or prevention of urogenital infections--a systematic review". Journal of Chemotherapy. 21 (3): 243–52. doi:10.1179/joc.2009.21.3.243. PMID 19567343. S2CID 32398416.
  19. ^ "Treatment & Outcomes of Genital / Vulvovaginal Candidiasis". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  20. ^ a b c Pappas PG, Kauffman CA, Andes DR, Clancy CJ, Marr KA, Ostrosky-Zeichner L, et al. (February 2016). "Executive Summary: Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Candidiasis: 2016 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 62 (4): 409–17. doi:10.1093/cid/civ1194. PMID 26810419.
  21. ^ "Invasive Candidiasis Statistics". cdc.gov. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.