Yeast Infections (original) (raw)

Also called: Candidiasis, Moniliasis

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Summary

Candida is the scientific name for yeast. It is a fungus that lives almost everywhere, including in your body. Usually, your immune system keeps yeast under control. If you are sick or taking antibiotics, it can multiply and cause an infection.

Yeast infections affect different parts of the body in different ways:

Thrush is a yeast infection that causes white patches in your mouth
Candida esophagitis is thrush that spreads to your esophagus, the tube that takes food from your mouth to your stomach. It can make it hard or painful to swallow.
Women can get vaginal yeast infections, causing vaginitis
Yeast infections of the skin cause itching and rashes
Yeast infections in your bloodstream can be life-threatening

Antifungal medicines get rid of yeast infections in most people. If you have a weak immune system, treatment might be more difficult.

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Candidiasis (VisualDX)
Candidiasis Basics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Yeast Infection (Vaginal) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Burning Mouth Syndrome (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) Also in Spanish
Yeast Infection during Pregnancy: Over-the-Counter Treatments OK? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Candida Infection of the Bloodstream - Candidemia (American Thoracic Society) - PDF
Oral Thrush (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Preventing the Spread of C. auris (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Tinea Versicolor (American Academy of Dermatology)
Vaginal Yeast Infections (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
Familial candidiasis: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)
Yeast Infection in Men: How Can I Tell if I Have One? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish