Thrush
A yeast (FUNGUS) INFECTION of the inner MOUTH. The fungus Candida albicans causes thrush, which appears in the mouth as reddened patches with a white discharge. Doctors may use the broader terms CANDIDIASIS or moniliasis. C. albicans is a common fungus present in the healthy body, kept in check by the BACTERIA that are also present. It becomes pathogenic (disease causing) only when there are disturbances to the body’s natural balance that allows it to flourish.
Thrush is most common in infants between the ages of 1 month and 10 months, though it can occur at any age. Often, and especially in infants, doctors do not know what disturbs the balance to allow thrush to develop. Known causes include treatment with ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONS, as antibiotics reduce the overall level of bacteria in the body. IMMUNE DISORDERS such as HIV/AIDS often prevent the body from adequately controlling its bacterial balance.
Doctors generally diagnose thrush based on appearance of the characteristic lesions (patches) in the mouth. Sometimes the doctor will gently scrape away the white surface of a LESION, which reveals the underlying reddened sore and confirms the diagnosis. Treatment is rinsing the mouth with an antifungal solution such as nystatin oral suspension. For young infants, dabbing the solution onto the lesions is sometimes more effective. Treatment continues for 48 hours after the last lesion disappears. C. albicans also can erupt as DIAPER RASH and vaginal infection.
Thrush is most common in infants between the ages of 1 month and 10 months, though it can occur at any age. Often, and especially in infants, doctors do not know what disturbs the balance to allow thrush to develop. Known causes include treatment with ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONS, as antibiotics reduce the overall level of bacteria in the body. IMMUNE DISORDERS such as HIV/AIDS often prevent the body from adequately controlling its bacterial balance.
Doctors generally diagnose thrush based on appearance of the characteristic lesions (patches) in the mouth. Sometimes the doctor will gently scrape away the white surface of a LESION, which reveals the underlying reddened sore and confirms the diagnosis. Treatment is rinsing the mouth with an antifungal solution such as nystatin oral suspension. For young infants, dabbing the solution onto the lesions is sometimes more effective. Treatment continues for 48 hours after the last lesion disappears. C. albicans also can erupt as DIAPER RASH and vaginal infection.
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