Medical information for patients

Thrush

Thrush is the widely used term for a common fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. Usually this takes the form of trivial vaginal or mouth infections, although it can affect the body more widely and seriously on rare occasions.

Symptoms

Vaginal Thrush

This causes itch and a cheesy discharge. The area is often redder than usual. It is often painful too, especially on intercourse, and may be associated with frequency of passing water and burning or pain on passing water. It may, therefore be confused with bladder infections (cystitis). Thrush, however, is usually associated with itching, which cystitis is not.

Oral Thrush

This may cause a sore mouth and throat, and as well as redness, it is characterized by white discharge on the surface. Babies, especially those being bottle fed, may suffer from this, as well as adults.

Diaper rash

One cause of a persistent diaper rash is infection of the area with thrush.

Causes

The cause is a fungus which is found widely in nature (Candida albicans), and indeed, is frequently present in the mouth and motions of people in good health. It seems that it is at periods when the defence mechanisms are down that it actually causes a problem. This can be when physically or mentally "run down", in women either pregnant or on the oral contraceptive pill, in diabetes and people either on steroids, or whose immune systems are suppressed.

Antibiotics, which deplete the naturally occurring bacteria, which are useful to the body, as well as the invading bacteria which they are being used to treat, may disturb the natural balance of the body and lead to thrush developing.

Thrush is otherwise known as Candidiasis, Moniliasis, or yeast infection.

Diagnosis

This can usually be made from the symptoms and the look of the affected area, but may be confirmed by a swab being taken by the nurse or doctor, which is examined at the laboratory.

Treatment

Prevention

Further information

Books

Coping with Thrush, by Caroline Clayton
Information about thrush, how to treat it, and how to prevent it recurring.

Brief feedback