Thrush/Candidiasis
What is it?
Candidiasis, or thrush as it is commonly called, is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida.
What are the symptoms?
In women symptoms might include an abnormal vaginal discharge, with a slight yeasty odour. The skin around the vagina may become red, inflamed, itchy, and may extend to around the anus. Men can also develop thrush on the foreskin and head of the penis as an itchy rash, and/or a redness and swelling.
How is it transmitted?
Candidiasis is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, but sex may aggravate the infection because sex may leave moisture under the foreskin or alter the vaginal balance.
It's normal for men and women to have small numbers of this yeast in the genital area but a range of factors may cause the yeast to overgrow and symptoms to develop. Some of these factors include: antibiotic treatment, diabetes, pregnancy, soaps and detergents used in the genital area, and tight clothing that promotes excessive sweating.
How can I prevent transmission?
Candidiasis is not considered a sexually transmitted infection.
Some of the suggestions below may be helpful to avoid thrush developing or recurring.
* Wear looser and cooler clothing.
* Uncircumcised men need to wash (with water only) and dry under their foreskin daily and after sexual intercourse.
* Avoid soaps, gels, sanitary perfumes, bubble baths and bath salts.
* Minimise the use of antibiotics or request Candida treatment when prescribed antibiotics.
* Pay careful attention to drying wet or sweaty body creases.
How is it diagnosed?
Most candidiasis can be diagnosed by a simple genital examination. A swab ( long cotton bud) from the affected area can also be taken and tested in a laboratory.
How is it treated?
Most symptoms may be relieved with vaginal creams or pessaries (tablets which are inserted into the vagina).
If you have treated yourself for thrush and it doesn't seem to get better, then you need to seek medical advice.