Oropharyngeal Candidiasis - Mouth Yeast Infection
Mouth yeast infection is medically called oropharyngeal Candidiasis, an infection caused by a yeast-like fungus belonging to the genus Candida. There are more than a hundred Candida species existing almost everywhere. The Candida albicans are the ones that cause most of the yeast infections. It is said that these fungi are found on the skin of about 80% of all human beings. Their presence in the human body is not really harmful but when they begin to grow uncontrollably, infection such as a mouth yeast infection may occur.
Oropharyngeal Candidiasis – Thrush
Oropharyngeal Candidiasis is just one kind of yeast infection. In this kind of infection, the fungi grow uncontrollably in the mouth and oral areas, in the oropharynx (part of the throat between the soft palate), and the epiglottis (a flap of tissue found just behind the tongue). It is also called “thrush”; however, oftentimes, the term thrush is incorrectly used to describe other kinds of Candida infection such as vaginal candidiasis.
Mouth Yeast Infection Among Infants
About 30-50% of young individuals in good health have Candida fungi in their oropharynx and are thus susceptible to infection. Newborns, however, are more prone to oropharyngeal Candidiasis. It is because the baby’s mouth is often excessively moist and this provides an ideal environment for the Candida fungus to grow.
Symptoms of thrush include white or yellow patches coating the inside of the mouth as well as the tongue and the lips. The white patches are creamy and may look like milk curds; however, unlike milk, they cannot be wiped off. If you try to wipe off the creamy white surface, the affected area may bleed and cause a painful ulcer.
Since Candida fungi are ubiquitous, it would be hard to keep babies totally free from having these fungi in their body. However, a parent can prevent any infection by making sure that anything that the baby eats or takes into his mouth is clean. Pacifiers, feeding bottles and toys are possible sources of the Candida fungi; hence, they must be kept clean all the time.
Keeping your baby’s stuff clean all the time is a must. It will not only keep him away from a mouth yeast infection, but from other diseases as well. Moreover, it will keep a breastfeeding mother safe since infections like thrush can be transmitted to the mother through her breasts and nipples.
By Health Editor
