Candidiasis, usually oral, with white or light brown tongue coating, or vaginal. Also see Stomatitis programs.Encyclopedia Entry for Thrush :Thrush - Candida albicans (yeast)Encyclopedia Entry for Thrush :Thrush - children and adults. Certain germs normally live in our bodies. These include bacteria and fungi. While most germs are harmless, some can cause infection under certain conditions. Thrush occurs in children and adults when conditions permit too much growth of a fungus called candida in your mouth. A small amount of this fungus normally lives in your mouth. It is most often kept in check by your immune system and other germs that also live in your mouth. When your immune system is weak or when normal bacteria die, too much of the fungus can grow. You are more likely to get thrush if: You are in poor health. You are very old. Young babies are also more likely to develop thrush. You have HIV or AIDS. You are receiving chemotherapy or drugs that weaken the immune system. You are taking steroid medicine, including some inhalers for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You have diabetes mellitus and your blood sugar is high. When your blood sugar is high, some of the extra sugar is found in your saliva and acts as food for candida. You take antibiotics. Antibiotics kill some of the healthy bacteria that keep candida from growing too much. Your dentures do not fit well. Candida can also cause yeast infections in the vagina. Thrush in newborns is somewhat common and easy to treat.Symptoms of thrush include: White, velvety sores in the mouth and on the tongue Some bleeding when you brush your teeth or scrape the sores Pain when swallowing.Your health care provider or dentist can usually diagnose thrush by looking at your mouth and tongue. The sores are easy to recognize. To confirm you have thrush, your provider may: Take a sample of a mouth sore by gently scraping it. Examine mouth scrapings under a microscope. In severe cases, thrush can grow in your esophagus as well. The esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. If this occurs, your provider may: Take a throat culture to see what germs are causing your thrush. Examine your esophagus and stomach with a flexible, lighted scope with a camera on the end.If you get mild thrush after taking antibiotics, eat yogurt or take over-the-counter acidophilus pills. This may help restore a healthy balance of germs in your mouth. For a more severe case of thrush, your provider may prescribe: Antifungal mouthwash (nystatin). Lozenges (clotrimazole). Antifungal medicines taken as a pill or syrup, these medicines include fluconazole (Diflucan) or itraconazole (Sporanox).Oral thrush can be cured. However, if your immune system is weak, thrush may come back or cause more serious problems.If your immune system is weakened, candida can spread throughout your body, causing a serious infection. This infection might affect your: Brain ( meningitis ) Esophagus (esophagitis) Eyes ( endophthalmitis ) Heart ( endocarditis ) Joints ( arthritis ).Call your provider if: You have thrush-like sores. You have pain or difficulty swallowing. You have symptoms of thrush and you are HIV positive, receiving chemotherapy, or you take medicines to suppress your immune system.If you get thrush often, your provider may recommend taking antifungal medicine on a regular basis to keep thrush from coming back. If you have diabetes mellitus, you can help prevent thrush by keeping good control of your blood sugar levels.Candidiasis - oral; Oral thrush; Fungal infection - mouth; Candida - oral.Candida, fluorescent stain Candida, fluorescent stain Mouth anatomy Mouth anatomy.Edwards JE. Candida species.Encyclopedia Entry for Thrush :Thrush in newborns. Certain germs normally live in our bodies. While most germs are harmless, some can cause infection. Thrush occurs when too much of a yeast called Candida albicans grows in a baby's mouth. Germs called bacteria and fungi naturally grow in our bodies. Our immune system helps keep these germs in check. But, babies do not have fully formed immune systems. That makes it easier for too much yeast (a type of fungus) to grow. Thrush often occurs when mother or baby has taken antibiotics. Antibiotics treat infections from bacteria. They can also kill 'good' bacteria, and this allows yeast to grow. The yeast thrives in warm, moist areas. The baby's mouth and the mother's nipples are perfect places for a yeast infection. Babies can also get a yeast infection on the diaper area at the same time. The yeast gets in the baby's stool and can cause a diaper rash.Symptoms of thrush in the baby include: White, velvety sores in the mouth and on the tongue Wiping the sores may cause bleeding Redness in the mouth Diaper rash Mood changes, such as being very fussy Refusing to nurse because of soreness Some babies may not feel anything at all. Symptoms of thrush in the mother include: Deep-pink, cracked, and sore nipples Tenderness and pain during and after nursing.Your health care provider can often diagnose thrush by looking at your baby's mouth and tongue. The sores are easy to recognize.Your baby might not need any treatment. Thrush often goes away on its own in a few days. Your provider may prescribe antifungal medicine to treat thrush. You paint this medicine on your baby's mouth and tongue. If you have a yeast infection on your nipples, your provider may recommend an over-the-counter or prescription antifungal cream. You put this on your nipples to treat the infection. If both you and your baby have the infection, you both need to be treated at the same time. Otherwise, you can pass the infection back and forth.Thrush in babies is very common and can easily be treated. But, let your provider know if thrush keeps coming back. It may be a sign of another health issue.Call your provider if: Your baby has symptoms of thrush Your baby refuses to eat You have symptoms of a yeast infection on your nipples.You may not be able to prevent thrush, but these steps may help: If you bottle feed your baby, clean and sterilize all equipment, including nipples. Clean and sterilize pacifiers and other toys that go in baby's mouth. Change diapers often to help prevent yeast from causing diaper rash. Be sure to treat your nipples if you have a yeast infection.Candidiasis - oral - newborn; Oral thrush - newborn; Fungal infection - mouth - newborn; Candida - oral - newborn.Balest AL, Riley MM, Bogen DL. Neonatology.