Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments for Candidiasis

What if you got a disease called Candidiasis and you did not know anything about it? Candidiasis, also known as oral thrush, is an infection. This infection is caused by a yeast-like fungus called candida albicans. “Oral Candidiasis is rare if CD4+ cell counts are above 500. Outbreaks are more common as the count drops to 100. Oral Candidiasis may be more difficult to treat when CD4+ cell counts fall below 50” (The Body 1). Oral thrush is most common in infants, elderly people, and those with a weakened immune system. Between 5 and 7 percent of infants that are less than one month will develop oral thrush. Being healthy helps with coming in contact with oral thrush because it becomes a minor problem. “For those individuals who are healthy, oral thrush is no more than a minor concern. However, for those who have compromised immunity, the development of oral thrush could be a huge problem, which may be difficult to control” (Home Remedies). Oral thrush may spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils and back of the throat. “Studies have documented clinical evidence of oral candidiasis in nearly 20 percent of cancer patients” (CDC 1). This infection is not popular in the general population. “This superficial fungus is found in most oral cavities but grows in pathologic numbers secondary to such conditional stages” (Novak 262). The candida yeasts live on the body and also inside the body. It lives in small amounts and does not cause any harm. “The body normally hosts a variety of germs ,including bacteria and fungi. Some of these are useful to the body, some produce no harm or benefit, and some can cause harmful infections” (Dugdale 1).“The human body is normally host to a great variety of bacteria and fungi that play neutral...

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...mmatory reaction characterized by soreness. Eryhema, and fissuring at the corners of the mouth” (Hidalgo 2). “Oropharyngeal Candidiasis- this can be treated with either topical anti-fungal agents or systemic oral azoles” (Hidalgo 3). “A culture may also be performed; however, because candida organisms are normal inhabitants of the human mouth. A positive vulture by itself does not make the diagnosis” (CDC 1).

Alternative therapies are also an option. For an alternative therapy, the candida diet is a possibility. “The candida diet allows no alcohol, no simple sugars, no yeast, and very limited amounts of processed foods” (UOMMC 2). “In otherwise healthy people, high sugar consumption has very little effect on the growth of yeast. Only when the balance of yeast and other naturally occurring bacteria is upset by antibiotic treatment or injury to the immune system