Oral thrush is a type of fungal infection that commonly effects small children and infants. It is also seen in adults, especially those who’s immune system is not functioning properly. Oral thrush is caused by a specific fungus known as candida albicans. This fungus is present in just about everyone, but normally does not cause problems as your immune system is able to keep it from becoming a problem.
In newborns, the most common way to getting an oral thrush infection is by breast feeding. If there are tiny, unseen bits of the fungus on the mother’s breast, the child can suck them in during feeding. The immune system in a newborn is not fully developed, allowing the fungus to gain a hold and grow.
When the fungus starts to proliferate and becomes a problem, it can often be quite difficult to control and treat. The first signs of an oral thrush infection are the growth of white, cheesy lesions in and around the mouth of the person affected. The lips, tongue, inner cheeks and gums can all be effected. The lesions are often described as looking like clumps of cottage cheese. If you try, you can scrape off bits of the fungus, although this won’t remove the infection from the person and shouldn’t be done extensively as an attempt to solve the problem.
In severe cases the infection can travel down your throat and in to the esophagus or even the stomach. When this happens, you may experience difficultly swallowing or eating. Infections that progress to this level are quite serious and need to be treated aggressively.
Of course, children and newborns aren’t the only people who are susceptible to a candida infection. Your body is constantly fighting off potential infections. Most of the time, your immune system is able to keep one step ahead of the microscopic bad guys lurking about on your body. However, there are some conditions where you can loose the ability to mount an effective defense. When this happens, infections like oral thrush are quite possible.
Some of the conditions that make a person more susceptible to an oral thrush infection include: HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and cancer. If you are taking medications that suppress your immune system, such as those needed after an organ transplant, you are more likely to get an infection such as oral thrush. Use of steroids for any reason can also weaken your immune system and make a candida infection possible.
Oral thrush is general diagnosed simply by looking at the lesions. They are quite distinctive and don’t really look like anything else. Once a doctor has confirmed that the problem is a candida infection, there are treatments available. Mild cases will often resolve without direct treatment, but in many cases it is a good idea to try an anti-fungal medication. There are several types of anti-fungal medications available, some of which come as tablets and others as a liquid that is swished around in your mouth directly. Your doctor will work with you to determine what the best treatment may be in each individual case.
