Candida albicans yeast infection

Description

Candida albicans is fungus can cause infection of the oral cavity, throat and genitals. In patients with weakened immune system the infection may also appear in the blood. This is a very serious infection out of generally more common infection of the oral cavity or genitals. This infection more frequently appears in diabetics, patients who take antibiotics and patients with weakened immune system (cancer and HIV patients). Also, it is very common in healthy women, since 75% of women in some period in life get vaginal infection by candida.

Symptoms

Rash on the skin, redness, pain, white falciform discharge from vagina, white stains on penis or oral cavity, painful swallowing. Fever, dizziness and fatigue are usual in the blood infection.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be done. Identification of fungus is done either by KOH test or by taking smear of change of the fungus. The appearance is often that recognizable that examinations are not necessary. Blood analysis (hemoculture) is done when there is a suspicion on blood infection.

Tests

KOH test, smear of change

Specialists

General practice, Internal Medicine

Therapy

Topical anti fungicide are used for the majority of infections. The most common are: clotrimazole(Canesten), miconazole (Daktanol) and ketoconazole (Mycoseb). Many of them can be got without the prescription. The one-shot doses of a medicine called fluconazole (Diflucan) could be taken orally. Blood infections could be very difficult for curing and they require intravenous medicines.