ORAL
THRUSH is an overgrowth of the fungusCandida
albicans in the mouth. It is not normal in adults. Any
disease which lowers your body's ability to fight infection can lead
to this condition such as:
HIV and AIDS - this viral illness slowly kills white blood
cells needed to fight infection.
Leukemia - this is an overgrowth of one cell type at the
expense of others leading to a fall in cells which can fight infection.
Steroid therapy - steroids are used in medicine for their
antiinflammatory effects but they also dull the immune system.
Hereditary immune defects - some persons are born with
defects in their ability to fight infections.
The Candida colonies form white fuzzy plaques along the inside
of the mouth that do not scrape off easily, bleed when
they are, and make your mouth sore.
Picture of Tongue Thrush:
Treatment is simple with antifungal mouth
washes or gels 3 to 4 times daily until clearing of the
fungus, and attention to the underlying illness predisposing the individual
to infection.
