What is the Symptoms of Thrush
Thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by fungi. Toddlers and young children are most likely to get it, but anyone can get it. It can cause white bumps on the tongue or inside the cheeks. Some medications and some health problems, like dry mouth or diabetes, can cause this. Most of the time, antifungal medicines are used to treat it.
What is thrush?
Thrush is an infection caused by yeast that can grow in your mouth, throat, or other places on your body. Oral thrush, also called oral candidiasis, can cause white, raised spots on your tongue and cheeks that look like cottage cheese. Thrush can quickly become painful and make your mouth red and sore.
Candida, a type of fungus, can cause thrush when it grows too much. Oropharyngeal candidiasis is another name for thrush in your mouth or throat.
Antifungal drugs are used to treat thrush by doctors and nurses. If your immune system is healthy, thrush is a minor problem that goes away after a couple of weeks of treatment.
Can anyone get thrush?
Anyone can get thrush, but some people are more likely to get it.
- Babies younger than one month
- Toddlers.
- adults over the age of 65.
- people whose immune systems aren’t as strong (where symptoms are harder to control).
What are the signs that you have thrush?
Most of the time, thrush comes on quickly. Lesions that are creamy white and a little raised in your mouth, usually on your tongue or inside cheeks, are a common sign. You may also have sores on the roof of your mouth, your gums, your tonsils, or the back of your throat.
Some other signs could be:
- Your mouth is red and hurts inside and at the corners.
- loss of the ability to taste (ageusia).
- Your mouth feels like cotton.
When you scrape or brush your teeth, the sores may hurt and bleed a little. In severe cases, the lesions can spread to your esophagus and cause the following symptoms:
- Having pain or trouble swallowing
- when you feel like food is stuck in your throat or in the middle of your chest.
- fever if the infection spreads to other parts of your body.
Thrush can spread to your lungs, liver, and skin, among other places in your body. People with cancer, HIV, or other diseases that weaken the immune system are more likely to get this.
What makes thrush happen?
Most people have small amounts of Candida fungus in their mouth, digestive tract, and skin. When illness, stress, or medications upset this balance, the fungus grows out of control and causes thrush.
Some medications can cause yeast to grow and cause an infection.
- Corticosteroids.
- Antibiotics.
- Pills that stop births
Does thrush spread?
Those who are at risk can spread thrush (like people with weakened immune systems or who take certain medications). People with healthy immune systems don’t usually pass thrush to each other through kissing or other forms of close contact with healthy immune systems don’t usually pass thrush to each other through kissing or other forms of close contact. Most of the time, thrush isn’t contagious, which means it doesn’t spread from person to person. However, it can be passed on (meaning you can catch it in other ways).
If you don’t want to get thrush from someone who already has it, don’t get too close to their saliva (spit). If you are around someone who has thrush, you should wash your hands as often as possible.
What makes someone more likely to get thrush?
Candida infections are more common in babies and people who have:
- Diabetes.
- Anaemia.
- HIV/AIDS (people in this group often get thrush in their esophagus, which is the tube that helps them swallow).
- Cancer.
- Tongue-dry (xerostomia).
- Pregnancy (as a result of hormonal changes) (as a result of hormonal changes).
- Smoking.
- Ill-fitting dentures.
What are the problems that can come with thrush?
People with healthy immune systems rarely get sick from thrush. But if your immune system is weak, Candida can get into your bloodstream and spread to places like your eyes, brain, and heart. This kind of infection is dangerous and can cause septic shock, a condition that can kill you.
How is thrush found?
Most of the time, a doctor can tell right away if you have thrush by looking for white bumps in your mouth, on your tongue, or on your cheeks. When the lesion is gently brushed away, it reveals a red, sore spot that may bleed a little. If you have thrush, a tissue sample from a sore can be looked at under a microscope.
If your thrush spreads into your esophagus, your doctor may:
- Take a strep throat test (swab the back of your throat with sterile cotton and study the microorganisms under a microscope).
- Your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine should all be examined with an endoscope (which examines the lining of these areas with a lighted camera mounted on the tip of a flexible tube).
- Your esophagus should be X-rayed.
How do you treat thrush?
Antifungal medicines are usually used to treat thrush.
Medications that kill fungi
Antifungals, like nystatin, are usually given to treat thrush by doctors. You can take these medicines as pills, lozenges, or liquids that you “swish” around in your mouth before swallowing. Most of the time, you have to take these drugs for 10 to 14 days. Your doctor will tell you how to treat the infection based on how old you are and what caused it.
Most antifungal treatments work well for kids and adults with healthy immune systems. But people with weak immune systems may have worse symptoms and find it harder to get rid of thrush.
How soon will I feel better after treatment?
With antifungals, thrush can go away in one to two weeks. You might need to keep taking the medicine for a few more days to kill any remaining fungus.
How can I make sure I don’t get thrush?
These things can help you avoid getting thrush:
- Clean your teeth and gums well. At least twice a day, brush your teeth, and at least once a day, floss.
- You should not use some mouthwashes or sprays. Some of these products can upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in your mouth. Ask your dentist or doctor which ones you can use safely.
- Go to the dentist often. This is very important if you have diabetes or false teeth.
- Reduce your consumption of foods containing sugar and yeast. Candida grows when you eat foods like bread, beer, and wine.
- Don’t smoke or do anything else with tobacco. Ask your doctor or nurse what you can do to help you stop smoking.
If I have thrush, what can I expect?
With treatment, most people get rid of thrush in one to two weeks. But tell your doctor if your symptoms don’t go away or get worse.
When should I see a doctor or nurse?
If you have signs or symptoms of thrush, like pain, bleeding, or white bumps inside your mouth, make an appointment to see a doctor.
If you’ve already taken antifungals for thrush but the symptoms keep coming back, call your doctor right away. It could mean that the infection is getting worse.
READ MORE ARTICLES:
