Signs and
symptoms of a candidal infection can vary depending on the location
of the infection.
* In women, signs and symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are a
white discharge that is thick and often described as having a
cottage cheese appearance. The infection typically causes itching
and irritates the vagina and surrounding outer tissues. On occasion
there may be pain with sexual intercourse or burning with urination.
* In infants and adults, a candidal infection can appear many
different ways.
* Oral candidiasis is called thrush. Thick, white lacy patches on
top of a red base can form on the tongue, palate, or elsewhere
inside the mouth. These patches sometimes look like milk curds but
cannot be wiped away as easily as milk can. If the white plaques are
wiped away with a blade or cotton-tipped applicator, the underlying
tissue may bleed. This infection also may make the tongue look red
without the white coating. Thrush can be painful and make it
difficult to eat. Care should be given to make sure a person with
thrush does not become dehydrated. Thrush was formerly referred to
as moniliasis, based upon an older name for Candid albicans (Monilia).
* Candidal organisms naturally live on the skin, but breakdown of
the outer layers of skin promote the yeast's overgrowth. This
typically occurs when the environment is warm and moist such as in
diaper areas and skin folds. Superficial candidal skin infections
appear as a red flat rash with sharp scalloped edges. There are
usually smaller patches of similar appearing rash nearby, known as
"satellite lesions." These rashes may cause itching or pain.
* In people with weakened immune systems, candidal infections can
affect various internal organs and cause pain or dysfunction of the
organ. People with suppressed immune systems due to AIDS,
chemotherapy, or other conditions may contract a yeast infection
called esophagitis in their upper gastrointestinal (GI) systems.
This infection is similar to thrush but extends down the mouth and
esophagus to the stomach.
Candida
esophagitis can cause painful ulcers throughout the GI system,
making it too painful to swallow even liquids. If the infection
spreads into the intestines, food may be poorly absorbed. People
with this condition are in danger of becoming dehydrated. There may
be associated pain in the area of the sternum (breast bone), pain in
the upper abdomen, and/or nausea and vomiting.
Sweden,
Stockholm,
Latvia Riga
Barbados Bridgetown
St. Louis Missouri USA
Croatia Zagreb
Benalla Victoria Australia
Launceston, Tasmania,
France, Paris,
City of Lithgow, Australia,
Baltimore Maryland USA
