Oral candidiasis or thrush is caused by a fungus or yeast called candida. This is the same organism that causes vaginal yeast infections. The infection displays in the form of white curd-like patches on the moist surfaces of the tongue, palate, cheeks, and lips. It often causes discomfort or a burning sensation.
Oral candida infections are most often seen in newborns and the elderly. When observed in a young person, thrush may be an indicator of HIV infection. Thrush or candidiasis can be accompanied by a low-grade fever, general sick feeling, fussiness, and loss of appetite.
This treatable disease often occurs during or after a course of antibiotics because of reduced oral bacteria that normally keep the level of candida fungi in check. Irritation from dental prostheses can also promote oral candidiasis or thrush, as can various disease including diabetes, mononucleosis, cancer, HIV, and other immune deficiency problems.
Taking care to use antibiotics only under the direction of health care providers, eating balanced diets, having dentists apply topical anti-fungal agents, and taking appropriate anti-fungal medications generally resolves candida yeast infections.
If properly treated the condition should disappear completely. In some cases, though, if the severity of the infection increases, oral candidiasis can spread to the throat or esophagus, a condition that requires medical intervention. Oral thrush is not contagious although patients with the problem may have an underlying disease like HIV that could infect others.
