Candida albicans is a fungus naturally present in the body without causing infection or symptoms.Candida albicans can usually be found in various parts of the body, being more common in the vaginal lining of women, the oral cavity, gastrointestinal and urinary tract.
This fungus lives in balance with its host, that is, with the human being, but if this balance changes, Candida albicans can proliferate and cause symptoms depending on where it is found, with white plaques appearing in the mouth, throat and tongue, pain and burning when urinating and thick white and discharge, for example.
- Symptoms of infection vary depending on where this fungus developed.
- In the case of oral thrush white plaques and spots appear in the mouth.
- Cheeks.
- Tongue and throat.
- And this type of infection is more common in newborns whose mothers had vaginal thrush during pregnancy.
In the case of vaginal thrush, symptoms may be uncomfortable due to burns and itching that are usually associated with this situation, do the following test to see if there is a possibility of genital thrush:
Diagnosis of Candida albicans infection is made initially by evaluating symptoms, but laboratory tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.Usin test is generally recommended in the case of suspected Candida urinary tract infection , in addition to urine culture, in which the species is identified and the best drug to treat the infection is seen. Understand how urine culture is done.
In the case of oral thrush, for example, it may be necessary to scratch mouth lesions so that they can be tested in the laboratory and the infection can be confirmed, learn to identify oral thrush.
Thrush during pregnancy is common and occurs due to hormonal changes characteristic of this period; during pregnancy, estrogen levels are quite high, which promotes the proliferation of Candida albicans, for example.
Thrush during pregnancy is not severe and can be easily treated with the use of ointments or vaginal creams that should be recommended by the obstetrician or gynecologist; However, if the woman still has thrush at the time of delivery, the baby may be infected.developing the oral form of thrush. Learn more about thrush during pregnancy.
Candida albicans infection occurs when there is an imbalance in the body that leads to greater fragility of the immune system, such as situations such as stress, the use of antibiotics, contraceptives or immunosuppressive drugs, lack of hygiene of the mouth or genital area.For example.
In addition, diseases such as influenza, AIDS and diabetes mellitus can also promote the proliferation of Candida species and the onset of symptoms.
Although Candida albicans is often found in the vaginal lining, transmission of this fungus to another person through sexual contact is rare, but this can happen, and the use of condoms in intimate contact is important.
Treatment of Candida albicans infection is done through the use of antifungal medications in pill or ointment form that should be applied directly to the affected area.
The antifungal recommended by the doctor varies depending on the site of the proliferation of the fungus, the sensitivity profile and the symptoms presented, it may be recommended, for example, the use of Imidazole, Nistatin, Amphotericin B, Miconazole, Fluconazole or Itraconazole.