Many women and men know firsthand what fungal diseases of the oral cavity and genitals are. Such pathologies cause a huge amount of trouble and significantly reduce the quality of life. In very rare cases, patients develop such a pathology as invasive candidiasis. You can read about what this disease is, as well as how to identify and treat it, in this article. Carefully study the information provided in order to protect yourself as much as possible.
What is this pathology?
Invasive candidiasis is a very dangerous fungal disease in which Candida, entering the bloodstream, spreads along with the blood throughout the body, causing foci of inflammation. As you know, microorganisms of the genus Candida live in each person in the oral cavity, intestines and vagina in small quantities.
With the proper functioning of the immune system, this fungus simply coexists peacefully and does not unfold its dangerous activities. However, if the defenses are violated, he will quickly begin to act. If the disease attacked the oral cavity or genitals, then it is quite easy to cure it, taking a couple of weeks of special antifungal drugs. However, invasive candidiasis is not so simple. If the fungus has already entered the bloodstream, and with it into the tissues of organs, then it will be very difficult to cure it. Untimely started treatment can also lead to death.
The main reasons for the development
Of course, if immunity leaves much to be desired, then be prepared for attacks by various pathogenic organisms. In fact, most often this pathology affects those people who underwent surgery or launched a thrush. Often, the disease occurs after experiencing severe burns, as well as when wearing a catheter on the bladder.
Risk factors
Consider in which cases this ailment can also occur:
- Long-term use of antibacterial drugs. As you know, antibiotics kill not only pathogenic microflora, but also beneficial microorganisms. Therefore, they do not always have an exclusively positive effect on the body.
- Also, the disease can occur in the presence of diabetes mellitus or in people suffering from serious diseases of the digestive system.
- After receiving various injuries of the body.
- Invasive candidiasis can occur after repeated blood transfusions, as well as during infection.
- Please note that a procedure such as prosthetics can also cause blood poisoning.
- Overweight and metabolic patients are susceptible to the development of such a dangerous form of candidiasis.
The disease can also appear in newborn babies. This happens quite often, especially if the baby at birth had a critically light weight or was born prematurely. Also very often suffer children who, during the first month of life, have already learned what antibacterial drugs are.
Invasive candidiasis: symptoms
The first signs of the disease are almost impossible to notice, since the patient's condition remains unchanged. However, soon it will be possible to observe certain symptoms. Since invasive thrush affects the internal organs, the symptoms will concern them. Carefully read the main manifestations of invasive candidiasis in order to contact the medical institution in time and begin timely treatment if necessary. So, usually a person has the following symptoms:
- a sharp increase in body temperature, which is accompanied by severe overwork and constant weakness;
- the use of antibacterial agents does not improve the patient's condition;
- pain in the affected organ;
- if the disease affects the digestive system, the patient may notice how small blood clots appear in the feces, and there is a constant alternation of diarrhea and constipation.
Remember that the invasive form of candidiasis is really very dangerous. Treatment that is started late can lead to inflammation of the brain, as well as to meningitis. In addition, the patient may begin to have problems with urination. If you do not start treatment as soon as possible, it can be fatal.
The main forms of the disease
There are three forms of the course of this disease. Each of them has its own characteristics. Consider each of them:
- The very first form is called candidaemia. It is very difficult to recognize, since it is characterized by the gradual spread of the fungus in the blood. Occasionally, the patient has renal failure.
- Next comes the invasive form of candidiasis. The intestines, lungs and other organs become a target. Most often, this form is characterized by damage to one or two organs, but no more.
- The third form is called disseminated candidiasis. Such a pathology is characterized by damage to more organs. The patient's condition worsens significantly, so a person needs hospitalization.
Which organ is most affected
Most often, patients have a variety of diseases such as invasive intestinal candidiasis. Mushrooms are able to adhere to the walls of the intestine, accumulate and actively multiply. After that, they penetrate into the thickness of the organ, acquiring a filamentous form. Candida can produce a large number of toxic substances that have a negative effect not only on the digestive system, but also on the whole organism.
The invasive focal form of intestinal candidiasis is characterized not only by damage to the entire organ, but only its individual parts. Most often, it can be found in those tissues that have already been damaged. At the same time, it is impossible to recognize this form of the disease without special additional studies. But more serious forms of the disease damage the entire organ and significantly worsen the well-being of the patient.
Central nervous system disease
Candidiasis can also affect the nervous system. Most often this happens in the case of newborn premature babies, as well as people taking drugs in an invasive way. The disease can be very serious and lead to serious and protracted consequences.
Eye disease
There is another type of candidiasis called endophthalmitis. Such a disease occurs in approximately eight percent of all patients with candidiasis. It does not occur by itself, but is a consequence of other forms of pathology. Most often occurs with prolonged use of antibacterial drugs, as well as with prolonged excessively long injection treatment.
Other deviations
The fungus can also affect other organs and their systems. Quite often, Candida microorganisms affect the heart, causing pathologies such as endocarditis, phlebitis and pericarditis, as well as lungs and other organs. It is very important to monitor the symptoms, the general state of your health. If you notice any negative changes, immediately go to the hospital.
Diagnostic Features
It is almost impossible to determine the disease at home. Be sure to consult a doctor and tell him what is bothering you. Typically, diagnostic measures are very extensive, since the disease affects several organs. So, what studies are carried out in the clinic most often:
- a blood test to be taken for several days;
- analysis of feces, urine, sputum, as well as fluid taken from wounds;
- Ultrasound of internal organs;
- X-ray and MRI
- histological examination;
- also conducting research on the organs of vision.
Treatment features
Treatment of invasive candidiasis is very important to start on time. To a greater extent, precisely on this will determine its effectiveness. The longer you postpone a visit to a specialist, the higher the likelihood of serious damage to internal organs, which in the end can lead to death.
After the diagnosis has been established, the doctor must identify the cause that provoked the development of candidiasis. After this, antifungal and antibacterial drugs are prescribed, which can be taken orally, as well as in the form of injections and droppers. In this case, drugs are prescribed individually. If the doctor prescribed the patient a medication that he had previously used against the treatment of candidiasis, then in this case it will be ineffective. The doctor will have to prescribe another medication, which has completely different active substances in its composition.
Future forecasts
The consequences of invasive candidiasis can be extremely deplorable, especially if the disease has already managed to go into the third form. During treatment, it is very important to monitor its effectiveness. So, if positive changes are not observed, the doctor should transfer the patient to other medicinal drugs. In addition, it is very important to constantly evaluate the condition of the whole organism, and in accordance with this take additional treatment. Often patients require surgical intervention.
Unfortunately, this disease very often leads to death (death in 40% of cases), especially if treatment was started at its most recent stages. If the ailment has already managed to greatly affect several organs, then a fatal outcome can occur a month later.
The importance of preventive measures
It is very important to observe preventive measures, and then the likelihood of infection with invasive candidiasis will be much lower. Be sure to follow the rules of personal hygiene. Wash your hands with soap as often as possible and try not to come into contact with already infected patients.
Do not take antibiotics unnecessarily, as they will affect the defenses of your body. If you are at risk, carefully monitor your health, monitor the activity of the immune system.
Do not forget that your health is in your hands, so take care. After all, it depends only on you in what condition you wake up tomorrow morning. The more time you devote to your health, the happier and longer your life will be.