Candidiasis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

To understand candidiasis, you can start by recognizing candida first. Candida is actually a group of normal fungi that live inside the human body. The yeast usually lives in small quantities in parts of the body such as the mouth, stomach, and skin without causing problems. However, when conditions change or are unusual, this yeast can multiply and grow uncontrollably, causing an infection called candidiasis.

Candidiasis or candidiasis that develops in the mouth or throat is called oral thrush or oropharyngeal candidiasis. Candidiasis in the vagina is often referred to as a yeast infection, vaginal yeast or candidiasis vaginalis or vaginitis. Men can also get genital candida infection, although this is rare.

Meanwhile, invasive candidiasis occurs when candida enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body and important organs such as the heart, brain, eyes, bones or other organs. This type of candidiasis is very dangerous and can be life-threatening.

Reason

Oral thrush or mouth fungus often occurs in infants, the elderly, and those with low immune systems such as people with HIV/AIDS. Oral candidiasis can also occur in people with cancer, those who take corticosteroids, people with diabetes, denture users, and smokers.

Candidiasis vaginali’s is a health problem that often occurs in women. It is estimated that almost three out of four women have had this infection. This can happen because too much yeast is growing due to disruption of the balance in the vagina. This can happen when a woman is pregnant, has diabetes, uses unsuitable lubricants or lubricants, uses spermicides (contraceptives to kill sperm), uses other contraceptive methods, and when the immune system is weakened.

While the risk of developing invasive candidiasis will increase in people with diabetes, kidney failure, and those who use broad-spectrum antibiotics, use central venous catheters (access devices to the central blood vessels which are usually around the heart), those who are being treated in the ICU and the immune system. his body was in a weak condition. The disease also occurs frequently in those who are hospitalized for long periods of time or in health care facilities such as nursing homes.

Symptom

Oral candidiasis can show the following symptoms:

• White or yellow patches on the tongue, lips, gums, roof of the mouth, and inside of the cheeks
• Redness or pain in the mouth and throat
• Feels like there is cotton in the mouth
• Loss of tasting
• Crack marks or redness at the corners of the mouth
• Pain when swallowing

Candidiasis vaginali’s can present symptoms that include:

• Excessive itching inside the vagina
• Redness and swelling of the vagina and vulva
• Pain and burning when urinating
• Discomfort during intercourse
• Whitish that is thick and dull cheese white.
• A man with candidiasis infection will generally also experience an itchy rash on his penis.

While the symptoms of invasive candidiasis are usually fever and chills that do not improve with antibiotics. If it attacks an organ, other symptoms will occur which will occur in accordance with the disturbance in the organ that has been infected.

Diagnosis

In general, doctors can diagnose candidiasis from a physical exam. Sometimes, the doctor needs to confirm the diagnosis by taking a small sample from the mouth to be tested in the laboratory. Meanwhile, candidiasis vaginalis usually has symptoms similar to other vaginal infections. So to be sure, the doctor can do a laboratory test of the vaginal discharge that occurs.

Diagnosing invasive candidiasis is generally quite difficult because usually sufferers already have other diseases. A blood sample will be needed if the doctor suspects blood candidiasis. A fungal culture will be performed to confirm the presence of the fungal infection.

Treatment

In general, the treatment of candidiasis is to use antifungal drugs such as nystatin, clotrimazole, miconazole, and fluconazole.

In vaginal candidiasis, drugs that are inserted directly into the vagina, such as fluconazole ovules, can usually be used. Meanwhile, invasive candidiasis is treated with antifungal drugs orally or through a vein.

Prevention

Oral candidiasis can be prevented in a fairly easy way, namely by keeping your teeth and mouth clean at all times. In addition, at certain times those at high risk can also use mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. This drug is useful as prevention in those with a low immune system.

Candidiasis vaginalis can be prevented by maintaining the cleanliness of the intimate organs and the balance of flora (good fungi) in the vagina. Use underwear made of cotton which keeps conditions dry and air circulation takes place well. This fungal disorder can also be spread through sexual intercourse. So always use protection when having sex.

Prevention of invasive candidiasis can be done by giving antifungal drugs to those who are at high risk.