Recurring Thrush
All about Recurring Thrush
It would be nice if recurring thrush were a bird that came every morning and sang you a ditty at your kitchen window while you made breakfast, but recurring thrush is actually an unpleasant infection that may actually signal a more serious underlying condition.
What is Thrush?
Thrush is a type of yeast infection. It is common in both pregnant women, women who have just given birth and babies who are being breastfed.
Thrush is a manifestation of the Candida fungus. Its scientific name is candida albicans and it is also known as oral candidiasis. (There are other kinds of Candida fungus manifestations as well.)
Symptoms of Thrush
The main symptom of oral thrush is a white pasty substance in the mouth. In adults, it may be painful and irritating. (Probably in babies as well, although they tend not to fill out their response sheets for researchers as thoroughly.) Babies may also experience diaper rash that is resistant to traditional diaper rash treatments. In mothers, breasts may become painfully sensitive.
Several groups of people are susceptible to thrush, not only babies and pregnant women. Thrush is also common among diabetes sufferers and those with immune deficiencies, like AIDS/HIV sufferers. Thrush may also be a side effect of certain medical treatments like chemotherapy and certain medications. Thrush is also sometimes caused by foreign objects placed into the mouth cavity, like dentures and piercings. Finally, smoking may also increase you chances of thrush, as may hormonal changes (thus pregnant women and women starting birth control pills).
Causes of Recurring Thrush
There can be various causes of recurring thrush.
Unsuccessful Treatment
The number one cause of recurring thrush is, of course, unsuccessful treatment. Treatment may fail for various reasons. First, the treatment may simply have stopped too soon, before the Candida virus was fully destroyed. In addition, some types of the Candida virus have developed resistance to some types of treatments.
Re-Infection
Another common reason why you might get a case or recurring thrush is because your partner or child has infected you with the same virus again. It is common for couples to get thrush and then infect each other repeatedly each time one starts to successfully overcome the virus.
This is one of the reasons why doctors recommend you avoid sex until you are well clear of the Candida virus.
A Wholly New Infection
It is also possible that the patient has acquired a wholly new infection. When this happens, it may be a strong indicator of an underlying condition that causes immunosuppression. Patients with aids and other conditions that attack the immune system are at risk for multiple infections from various sources.
Treatment
Treatment of recurring thrush depends on the cause. If the thrush has recurred simply because of premature completion, the physician will repeat the treatment often using an alternative anti-fungal medication. If thrush is because of a disease that affects the immune system—like AIDS—, then a more rigorous treatment is necessary.
Vaginal Thrush
Thrush may also occur in the vagina. This can also develop in a type of recurring thrush. The reasons for the recurrence of vaginal thrush are not fully known, but some women seem to get it, like other forms or yeast infection habitually. The treatments are similar to the oral treatments.
CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN
Regardless of what you believe the reason for your thrush is, you should consult your physician as soon as possible. As we mentioned, recurring thrush can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, so it is important to get it treated as soon as possible.