Candititis
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"Candidiasis"[MeSH Terms]
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CDC candidiasis overview symptoms treatment
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida yeast. Candida normally lives harmlessly on the skin and in the mouth, gut, and vagina, but it can overgrow and cause infection.
Common forms:
- Oral thrush: white patches in the mouth or tongue, soreness, altered taste, pain while eating.
- Vaginal yeast infection: itching, burning, redness, and thick white discharge.
- Skin candidiasis: red, itchy rash, often in moist skin folds such as groin, under breasts, or between fingers.
- Esophageal candidiasis: painful or difficult swallowing, usually in people with reduced immunity.
- Invasive candidiasis/candidemia: Candida infection in the bloodstream or internal organs, mainly in seriously ill hospitalized patients. It can cause persistent fever and chills despite antibiotics.
Risk factors include recent antibiotic use, diabetes, pregnancy, corticosteroid or immunosuppressive treatment, dentures, moisture in skin folds, and weakened immunity.
Treatment depends on the site and severity. Mild localized infections are often treated with topical antifungals such as clotrimazole or nystatin. More extensive or recurrent infections may need an oral antifungal such as fluconazole, prescribed by a clinician. Invasive infection requires urgent hospital treatment with intravenous antifungals.
Seek medical care promptly for fever with serious illness, trouble swallowing, pregnancy with vaginal symptoms, repeated infections, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. Avoid self-treating recurrent vaginal symptoms because bacterial infections and sexually transmitted infections can look similar.
The CDC candidiasis overview explains the different infection types and treatments, and the CDC symptoms guide lists symptoms by body site.
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