Oral Thrush

Oral thrush (also called oral candidiasis) is a condition caused by the fungus Candida albicans. C.albicans accumulates on the lining of the mouth, thus causing oral thrush.  

Clinical features

Creamy white lesions, usually on the tongue or inner cheeks

Oral thrush may also spread to the roof of the mouth, gums or tonsils, or the back of your throat

Cottony feeling in mouth

Loss of taste

Slight bleeding if lesions are rubbed or scraped

In severe cases, usually related to cancer or a weakened immune system from HIV/AIDS, the lesions may spread downward into the esophagus. This is known as Candida esophagitis.

Candida esophagitis presents as difficulty swallowing and pain

Risk factors

Weakened immune system as in case of organ transplantation, cancer, cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS

Diabetes

Wearing dentures, especially upper dentures, or having conditions that cause dry mouth can increase the risk of oral thrush

Complications

In people with lowered immunity untreated oral thrush can lead to more serious systemic candida infections

Diagnosis

If thrush is limited to the mouth

Examine mouth to look at the lesions

Take scrapings of lesions to examine under a microscope

If thrush is in the esophagus

Biopsy

Endoscopic exam

Treatment

The goal of oral thrush treatment is to stop the rapid spread of the fungus by prescribing an antifungal medication