Source: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/oralthrush.htm
WHAT IS ORAL THRUSH? 
Oral
thrush is an infection of yeast fungus, Candida albicans, in the mucous
membranes of the mouth. Strictly speaking, thrush is only a temporary
candida infection in the oral cavity of babies. However, we have for
this purpose expanded the term to include candida infections occurring
in the mouth and throat of adults, also known as candidosis or
moniliasis.
HOW DO I GET ORAL THRUSH?
Candida
is present in the oral cavity of almost half of the population.
Everyone who wears dentures will have candida, without necessarily
suffering any ill effects.
Candida does not
become a problem until there is a change in the chemistry of the oral
cavity that favours candida over the other micro-organisms that are
present.
These changes can occur as a side effect
of taking antibiotics or drug treatment such as chemotherapy. These
changes can also be caused by certain conditions such as diabetes, drug
abuse, malnutrition, and as a consequence of immune deficiencies
relating to old age or infection, such as AIDS.
Furthermore,
people whose dentures don't fit well can sustain breaks in the mucous
membranes in their mouth, which can act as a gateway for candida.
People who suffer from this problem often have moist, pale pink spots
on their lips, known as angular cheilitis, which is an indication of a
candida infection.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ORAL THRUSH?
White,
cream-coloured, or yellow spots in the mouth. The spots are slightly
raised. There is normally no pain in the area underneath the spots. If
you scrape off these spots, they leave small wounds that bleed
slightly.
In adults, thrush can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation in the mouth and throat.
WHO IS AT SPECIAL RISK?
- Newborn babies.
- Denture users.
- Adults with diabetes or other metabolic disturbance.
- People undergoing antibiotic or chemotherapy treatment.
- Drug users.
- People with poor nutrition.
- People with an immune deficiency.
HOW DOES THE DOCTOR DIAGNOSE ORAL THRUSH?
In
babies, thrush is usually diagnosed on the basis of the clinical
picture. Occasionally, in order to make a diagnosis, the doctor will
scrape the baby's tongue and send the sample for analysis.
In
adults, many other diseases and illnesses, including very early stages
of cancer, can have similar symptoms. Therefore it is important to
consult your doctor and get a thorough check-up.
In
cases where thrush occurs as the result of disease or illness in other
organs or systems, like AIDS, sudden and very intense thrush can be a
sign of a general aggravation of the main illness. This makes it all
the more important to pay attention to this and similar changes, so you
can get help in time.
HOW IS ORAL THRUSH TREATED?
Firstly,
the condition that caused the thrush must be brought under control.
This might involve investing in new and better fitting dentures, or
adjusting diabetes treatment. For AIDS patients, it is not always
possible to correct the immune deficiency, and a course of oral
treatment using antifungal drugs has to be used.
Once
the condition that caused the oral thrush has been treated, the thrush
itself can be cured. Treatment is with antifungal medicines, in the
form of pastilles that are sucked or oral suspensions that are held in
the mouth before swallowing. These allow the antifungal agent to act
locally in the mouth. Examples include nystatin (eg Nystan oral
suspension), amphotericin (eg Fungilin lozenges) or miconazole (eg
Daktarin oral gel).
In certain complicated
cases, or if the infection spreads, systemic treatment will be
necessary in the form of antifungal tablets, or perhaps in the form of
injections.
COPING WITH THE SYMPTOMS OF ORAL THRUSH
Thrush
can make the mouth so sensitive that it is impossible to perform
regular oral hygiene. Use a very soft toothbrush. It can often help to
rinse the mouth with a diluted solution of 3 per cent hydrogen
peroxide.
OUTLOOK
If
whatever caused the thrush can be brought under control, the infection
is likely to go away after a few days of treatment with a fungicide.
