Oral thrush
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Oral thrush is an infection of yeast fungus, Candida albicans, in the mucous membranes of the mouth. Thrush is only a temporary candida infection in the mouths of babies. However, the term is sometimes expanded to include candida infections occurring in the mouth and throat of adults, also known as candidosis or moniliasis.
Symptoms
White, cream coloured, or yellow spots in the mouth. The spots are slightly raised. No pain in the area underneath the spots is very common. If you scrape off these spots, they leave small wounds that bleed slightly. In adults, thrush can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation in the mouth and throat.
Who is at special risk?
- Newborn babies.
- Denture users.
- Adults with diabetes or other metabolic disturbance.
- People undergoing antibiotic or chemotherapy treatment.
- Drug users.
- People with poor nutrition
- People with an immune deficiency (AIDS/HIV).
- Patients after a tonsillectomy.
Treatment
This can be treated with anti-fungal drugs, such as nystatin, itraconazole or amphotericin B.