What's up with thrush?

Thrush, similar in cause and symptoms to a vaginal yeast infection, can invade any of the body's mucous membranes but most often attacks the mouth. Here's how to recognize its symptoms and what you can do about it.

A very common form of yeast infection, the fungus often invades the mouth, anus, or vagina. Like other forms of Candidiasis, the medical term for yeast infection, this problem is caused by fungus from the Candida strain of fungi.

All of these fungi are actually yeasts which are always present in the body in safe amounts. When the balance of these yeasts gets thrown off, the condition can occur. Although not usually fatal, any yeast infection can be life-threatening for premature or low birth-weight infants.

The oral version appears in the mouth and, occasionally, the throat and makes eating and swallowing painful. The symptoms include painful, slightly raised bumps, or ulcers, which are generally white in color. They can also be accompanied by a discharge that is lumpy, white, and looks like cottage cheese. The oral version can also causes dry mouth. Left untreated, thrush will usually spread to the esophagus resulting in pain and difficulty swallowing.

Vaginal symptoms are the same as those of a vaginal yeast infection. In fact, the treatment is usually exactly the same as well. Vaginal thrush symptoms usually consist of vaginal itching and burning, soreness and swelling, and a bread or beer-smelling discharge that ranges from thick, white, and creamy, down to think and pale yellow or colorless. A cottage cheese-like discharge may also be present.

Babies are particularly susceptible. Symptoms in babies may appear as white patches in the baby's mouth. An infected baby is likely to also infect a nursing mother's nipples. Infected nipples appear cracked or dry looking and may become sore or inflamed. Thrush in babies may also appear around the diaper area as a severe diaper rash that may actually look like burns. Although usually not life-threatening, thrush can be fatal in premature and low birth-weight infants. In any case you should take your baby to the doctor if any symptoms appear.

There is a potentially fatal form of thrush known as Systemic Candidiasis. This variant is not usually found in normally healthy people, but can appear in people who have immune system problems such as HIV.

Symptoms may include all of those I have already mentioned as well as fever, headaches, pneumonia and inflammation of the endocardium which is the membrane lining the heart. Needless to say, immediate medical treatment is required if you think that you have these symptoms.

Because of the pain, discomfort, and the potential for life- threatening consequences, thrush is not a condition that should be ignored. Contact your doctor at once and follow any prescribed treatment to the letter.