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Candidiasis of the mouth and throat, also known as a
"thrush" or oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), is a fungal infection
that occurs when there is overgrowth of fungus called Candida.
Candida is normally found on skin or mucous membranes.
However, if the environment inside the mouth or throat becomes
imbalanced, Candida can multiply. When this happens,
symptoms of thrush appear.
OPC can affect normal newborns, but it occurs more
frequently and more severely in people with weakened immune
systems, particularly in persons with AIDS.
People with OPC infection usually have painless,
white patches in the mouth. Symptoms of OPC in the esophagus may
include pain and difficulty swallowing.
Most cases of OPC are caused by the person’s own
Candida organisms which normally live in the mouth or
digestive tract. A person has symptoms when overgrowth of
Candida organisms occurs.
OPC is diagnosed in two ways. A doctor may take a
swab or sample of infected tissue and look at it under a
microscope. If there is evidence of Candida infection, the
sample will be cultured to confirm the diagnosis.
Prescription treatments such as, Oral fluconazole,
clotrimazole troches, or nystatin suspension usually provide
effective treatment for OPC.
Symptoms, which may be uncomfortable, may persist.
In rare cases, invasive candidiasis may occur.
Can
Candida-causing OPC become resistant to
treatment?
Overuse of antifungal medications can increase the
chance that they will eventually not work (the fungus develops
resistance to medications). Therefore, it is important to be sure
of the diagnosis from before treating with over-the-counter or
other antifungal medications.
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