Thrush is an infection of the mucous membrane caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Mostly affects women. And it can be painful. Thrush is also known as a yeast infection, Candida, candidiasis, candidiasis balanitis.
The fungus develops in warm, moist places, such as: the mouth, intestines, vagina and foreskin of the penis.
Healthy bacteria in the body usually stop the growth of Candida. However, changes in lifestyle and health can lead to the rapid multiplication of yeast, which lead to the onset of the disease.
How can you get sick, the causes of
Most likely to get thrush:
- if the girl is pregnant or is taking birth control pills;
- in the presence of stress;
- if a woman takes antibiotics (they can kill normal, healthy bacteria);
- with undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes;
- if the immune system is weakened (for example, during chemotherapy).
Thrush can also be more common at certain times during the menstrual cycle, especially the week before or after.
Signs and Symptoms
Before talking about how thrush is transmitted, we will talk about the signs of this ailment. Symptoms of the disease vary. Some people may have thrush, but do not observe any external symptoms. This means that there is still a risk of contracting the infection during sex.
If you want to know how thrush is transmitted, then you should be aware of the symptoms of this ailment. Signs of illness include:
- white or yellow vaginal discharge;
- yeast odor;
- burning pain during urination;
- pain or discomfort during sex;
- redness and swelling of the vagina.
If there are any of the above symptoms, then consult your doctor for a diagnosis. The disease can be diagnosed with a simple genital examination.
Is thrush transmitted from woman to man? Yes. In a man, such an ailment can be identified by a red rash (it may be itchy) on the penis and / or under the foreskin.
If you are concerned about the question, is thrush transmitted through a man or not, then know that the answer is yes. Only this is much less common than through girls.
Thrush treatment
When diagnosing vaginal thrush, you can be cured using antifungal creams or vaginal suppositories (tablets), available without a prescription. If candles and creams do not give the proper result, then consult a doctor. Because there may be another health problem or a more severe infection that does not respond to such therapy. Men should apply the cream to the genital area, penis, or under the foreskin. Sexual partners may also need treatment.
How can thrush be prevented? Tips for women
To prevent the ailment:
- Wear loose trousers or skirts and cotton underwear. Thick or synthetic clothing "does not breathe." The result creates humid conditions that are ideal for bacteria.
- Avoid using soap or sprays in the genital area, as they can cause irritation.
- Wash your hands before touching the vaginal area.
- Wash your hands after using the toilet.
- Women should wipe themselves from front to back after going to the toilet.
- Wash your genitals with water only. After that, gently wipe the area with a dry towel.
- Exclude vaginal sex after anal.
- Carefully hygiene after anal sex. Use a new condom and water-based lubricant before having vaginal sex.
- Always use condoms to avoid contracting thrush and sexually transmitted infections.
Sexual and household transmission
Note that during intimacy the thrush is transmitted to the partner. The carrier can be either a woman or a man. Therefore, if an ailment is detected, therapy is prescribed to both partners. Treatment may vary and is determined by the severity of the symptoms. Consult your doctor if there are recurring episodes of the disease.
Is thrush transmitted by domestic means? Yes, unfortunately, this is happening. You can diagnose a yeast infection after using a common washcloth, soap, bed linen, using one towel for two together with a carrier of Candida fungus.
Is thrush contagious?
Thrush, which can be diagnosed in the mouth, is not considered contagious. A causative fungus, Candida albicans, is often already a natural inhabitant of the mouth and throat. When the oral environment changes (usually due to an immature or depressive immune system), the fungus can multiply and cause unpleasant symptoms. Sometimes people taking antibiotics or steroids can get thrush. The disease is usually considered non-contagious. But there is only one case when the thrush is transmitted orally. This is when it comes to the baby and mother. A child can become infected with thrush and transfer it to the mother’s nipples.
How to find out if there is a thrush (oral type)?
Usually the first common sign of thrush is the presence of a whitish coating. May be in the tongue, on the inside of the cheek, on the gums, tonsils, or on the back of the throat. It can be painful and bleed a little if they are cleaned by touching or using a toothbrush. Some people with thrush lose their sense of taste. A severe form of the disease can spread to the esophagus and cause fever, difficulty swallowing and the feeling that something is getting into the throat. It can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, and skin.
Most characteristic for thrush:
- white tongue;
- redness in the mouth;
- taste changes, including loss of taste or the appearance of a metallic taste;
- cracking or redness in the corners of the mouth;
- dental stomatitis in carriers of dentures, causing redness, irritation and pain under them.
How is the oral form of thrush transmitted? In most cases, it is not transmitted from person to person. The only case is breast-fed babies and their mothers.
Treatment duration
In general, treatment of infection is considered using antifungal agents. The duration of therapy is usually from seven to fourteen days. For thrush in a neglected form, a course twice as long is recommended (for example, 28-42 days).
Contributing Factors
Other risk factors for developing oral thrush in all age groups include:
- the use of dentures;
- some diseases, such as: diabetes, HIV, AIDS or cancer;
- chemotherapy;
- organ or tissue transplantation;
- the use of antibiotics or steroids, including the use of inhalers for the treatment of asthma containing corticosteroids;
- dry mouth or from the use of drugs, or from certain diseases;
- smoking.
Diagnosis of thrush in men
Thrush mainly affects women. But thrush can be transmitted sexually to a man. In this case, candidiasis affects the glans penis and foreskin. This can lead to inflammation of the glans penis, such an ailment as balanitis.
Facts About Thrush in Men
Candida usually lives on the skin and mucous membranes. But if the amount of fungus grows too quickly, it can cause unpleasant symptoms, such as:
- itching
- rash;
- red skin;
- edema;
- irritation and itching around the glans penis;
- discharge under the foreskin;
- pain during urination and during sex.
Risk factors include the use of antibiotics or corticosteroids, diabetes, poor hygiene.
Genital candidiasis in men. Signs of this disease
How is thrush transmitted? Is a sexually transmitted infection? This type of thrush is not considered as such. But infection can occur during intercourse. Thrush is sexually transmitted in men. Often the disease is asymptomatic. If we talk about the signs, then the main thing is an itchy rash on the penis.
Around the glans penis can be:
- red skin;
- swelling;
- irritation and soreness;
- itching
- inflammation;
- White spots.
On the foreskin, you can also notice signs of illness. Namely:
- discharge under the foreskin, causing an unpleasant odor;
- difficulty pulling the foreskin.
It is also possible that there may be pain during sex or during urination.
Drug treatment of the disease
Antifungal creams or oral agents can help relieve symptoms. They are equally effective.
Creams are applied directly to the affected area. Usually once a day for three to seven days. A person who has not previously been treated for thrush should consult a doctor, and not self-medicate.
Hygiene rules for men
Good hygiene prevents thrush and helps treat it. Fundamental rules:
- it is necessary to thoroughly wash the penis with warm running water;
- do not use perfume shower gels or soaps on the genitals, because they can cause irritation;
- wear loose cotton underpants to keep your genital area dry.
If a man does not wash the foreskin area well, this can lead to the formation of irritation.
Complications
In rare cases, an immunocompromised person who has genital thrush can develop invasive candidiasis. This is a fungal infection of the blood that can lead to the rapid spread of the fungus throughout the body. This can be fatal, such cases are rare.
Emergency hospital treatment protects organs from infection. Then antifungal drugs are administered to kill her.
Factors that increase the risk of complications include:
- HIV infection.
- Diabetes.
- The use of immunosuppressants, for example, patients undergoing transplantation.
- The use of chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer.