Many patients are aware that thrush affects the genitals. However, not everyone knows about oropharyngeal candidiasis. A fungal infection can cause inflammation in any part of the mucosa, including in the mouth and throat. Such a disease is often noted in young children. In adulthood, fungus in the oral cavity and pharynx is diagnosed only in people with a sharply weakened immune system. How does this form of candidiasis manifest itself? And how to stop itching and inflammation? We will consider these issues in the article.
Pathogen and routes of transmission
The cause of candidiasis of the mouth and pharynx is the excessive reproduction of candida fungus. This microorganism is located in the oral cavity of every person. Under normal conditions, the fungus does not cause any pathology. However, under the influence of various adverse factors, the number of this microorganism increases significantly. In this case, fungal inflammation occurs - candidiasis, which can affect different parts of the skin and mucous membrane. In everyday life, this disease is called thrush.
A person suffering from candidiasis of the oral cavity and pharynx can infect others. The fungus is contained in the saliva of the patient. You can get infected through common dishes, a toothbrush, and also through a kiss.
If a pregnant woman suffers from thrush of the genitals, then there is a risk of infection of the baby during childbirth. The baby can be born with all the signs of oropharyngeal candidiasis. If the patient has symptoms of fungal infection of the skin of the breast, then it can infect the baby during feeding.
Causes of pathology in adults
As already mentioned, fungal inflammation occurs only with the active propagation of candida. The following adverse factors can provoke increased growth of the microorganism:
- Weakening of the body's defenses. The fungus is activated only when immunity falls. Often candidiasis occurs in HIV-infected patients.
- Long-term use of antibiotics and steroid hormones. Such drugs disrupt the microflora of the oropharynx and reduce immunity. A long course of treatment with such medications should be under the supervision of a doctor.
- Poor oral hygiene. If the patient irregularly brushes his teeth and does not rinse his mouth after eating, this contributes to the growth of bacteria. Such an environment is favorable for the growth of the fungus.
- The abuse of sweets and impaired glucose metabolism. Excessive consumption of sugar and confectionery can provoke candida propagation. This fungus is very fond of a sweet environment. For the same reason, candidiasis of the pharyngeal cavity and other organs is often affected by diabetics. An increased concentration of glucose in the body contributes to the active growth of the fungus.
- Inflammatory processes in the mouth and throat. Patients with caries and chronic tonsillitis often suffer from thrush.
- Malignant tumors. Oncological diseases sharply negatively affect the state of the immune system.
- Smoking. Immunity in smokers is usually reduced. In addition, tobacco smoke constantly irritates the pharyngeal mucosa.
Etiology of the disease in children
In childhood, thrush is much more common than in adulthood. This is due to the fact that the child’s immune system is still being formed. In children, oropharyngeal candidiasis in most cases develops due to insufficient hygiene. Plaque on the teeth and food debris in the mouth create favorable conditions for the growth of opportunistic microflora. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the cleanliness of the baby's mouth. When a child grows up, he needs to be taught how to use a toothbrush and toothpaste correctly.
However, there are times when a child gets thrush even with good oral hygiene. The following factors may contribute to this:
- Mechanical damage. A child may burn his mouth with a hot drink or injure him with a sharp piece of food. The fungus penetrates the tissues even with minor damage.
- Taking antibiotics. Often, parents give antibiotics to the baby every time the temperature rises. In no case should this be done. Antibiotics adversely affect the state of the immune system and disrupt the microflora. Such medications can be given to a child strictly as directed by a doctor.
- Frequent respiratory infections. Children who constantly catch a cold are very susceptible to thrush. Often candidiasis occurs as a complication after ARVI.
Thrush can also provoke improper nutrition of the baby. As you know, many young children love sweets. However, an excess of such food in the diet increases the risk of fungal infection.
Oropharyngeal candidiasis occurs even in infants. At the age of 1 year, the cause of the pathology is most often the transmission of the fungus from a sick mother during childbirth or during feeding.
Forms of pathology
The inflammatory process can be localized in different parts of the oral cavity and throat. In this regard, doctors distinguish the following varieties of oropharyngeal candidiasis:
- Gingivitis. The fungus causes gum disease. Soreness and bleeding in the affected area, discomfort during eating are noted. A grayish-white coating appears on the gums.
- Stomatitis. Inflammation is localized on the oral mucosa. Upon examination, you can notice a plaque, which can be easily removed with a spoon or a medical tool. Small sores form in the mouth.
- Glossitis. Inflammation is formed on the tongue, cracks and ulcers with a white or gray film appear on its mucosa.
- Cheilitis. The fungus affects the corners of the mouth. Cracks, flakes, ulcerations (seizures) appear on the skin.
- Candidiasis of the throat. Thrush can affect tonsil tissue. In this case, candidal tonsillitis occurs. However, the infection often penetrates into the deep sections up to the larynx, which is the cause of candidiasis of the pharyngeal mucosa (pharyngitis). In advanced cases, thrush spreads to the larynx, and doctors diagnose candidal laryngitis.
The above forms of pathology are very rare in isolation. Most often, patients have a combined lesion of both the oral cavity and pharynx. After all, the infection spreads very quickly to nearby tissues.
Fungal inflammation can also go to the area of the nasopharynx. Candida rhinitis occurs. This disease is similar in its manifestations to a common cold. Only a specialist can identify the fungal origin of rhinitis.
Symptomatology
In about half the cases, oropharyngeal candidiasis proceeds without severe symptoms. The patient is not disturbed by any discomfort. A grayish-white plaque on the mucous membranes is detected only during an examination with an otolaryngologist or dentist.
However, in 50% of patients, the pathology proceeds with pronounced symptoms. The following pathological manifestations are noted in patients:
- hyperemia of the throat or oral cavity;
- constant sore throat;
- grayish-white plaque on the affected areas (similar to lumps of cottage cheese);
- fetid breath;
- pain and burning while swallowing food and water;
- cough with white phlegm;
- hoarseness of voice;
- decreased appetite due to problems with swallowing.
With thrush, severe fever is not observed in the patient. Only a slight increase in temperature to +37.5 degrees is possible. General well-being also remains within the normal range.
In some cases, inflammation passes to the nasopharynx. There are signs of fungal rhinitis:
- Severe runny nose. Discharge from the nose is white in color, they may contain inclusions that resemble particles of cottage cheese in appearance. This is a clear sign that rhinitis has a fungal etiology.
- Intolerable itching in the nose. This unpleasant sensation is not removed even by potent antihistamines.
- Sneeze. This symptom with a viral rhinitis is observed only in the early days of the disease. With rhinitis of candidal origin, the patient sneezes for a long time.
In children, thrush appears in the same way as in adults. But the child is usually hard-suffering this disease. In childhood, candidal inflammation occurs with a high temperature and a deterioration in the general condition.
Breasts with thrush become tearful and restless. Their appetite sharply worsens due to painful swallowing. A white coating forms on the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx.
Possible complications
Thrush of the oropharynx is far from a harmless disease. If you do not deal with the treatment of candidiasis, then the following complications are possible:
- Chronization of inflammation. If the pathology has passed into the chronic stage, then with the slightest deterioration in immunity, the patient experiences an exacerbation of thrush.
- Spread of infection. The fungus can capture more and more new tissue sites. From the oropharynx, the infection can pass to the esophagus, trachea, bronchi and lungs. The pathogen also spreads throughout the body with blood flow and can affect any organs. In a fairly large proportion of patients, oropharynx thrush is accompanied by genital candidiasis.
- Attachment of bacteria. Candidiasis leads to a sharp decrease in immunity. As a result, a bacterial infection joins the fungal infection. The first sign of such a complication is an increase in temperature (up to +38 - +39.5 degrees) and a sharp deterioration in the general condition.
Even if thrush occurs without severe symptoms, a fungal infection must be treated. This will help to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Diagnostics
When signs of thrush of the oropharynx appear, an otolaryngologist should be visited. If inflammation affects only the gum area, then a dentist consultation is needed. The doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis during the examination. Curd on the mucous membrane is a characteristic sign of candidal infection.
To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe the following examinations:
- Throat swab. The biomaterial is examined under a microscope, and bacteriosis is also carried out. Nowadays, enzyme immunoassay and PCR diagnostics are often used. This allows you to determine the presence of antibodies and to identify the type of pathogen. If the patient has signs of fungal rhinitis, a nasal swab is indicated.
- Clinical blood test. With thrush, white blood cell and ESR counts increase.
- Pharyngoscopy. Assign for fungal infections of the deep sections of the throat. The pharynx is examined using special tools.
In the diagnosis, it is very important to differentiate thrush from colds, bacterial tonsillitis, as well as allergies.
Oral medication
It is important to remember that it is impossible to get rid of thrush only with folk remedies and rinses. The main way to treat candidiasis of the oral cavity and pharynx is to take antifungal drugs. They destroy the membranes of candida cells and inhibit the reproduction of the pathogen. These drugs include:
- Nystatin
- Fluconazole;
- Diflucan
- "Itraconazole";
- Macmirror
If the patient has an elevated temperature and pain is expressed, then anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed:
Tablets are used to treat candidiasis of the pharynx in adults.
Local funds
To relieve inflammation, the use of local funds is necessary. Patients are prescribed rinses with antiseptic solutions:
- Miramistina
- "Chlorhexidine."
Also shown is the irrigation of the throat with Hexoral, Tantum Verde, and Novoscept sprays. If there are ulcers in the mouth, then they are treated with Fukortsin.
Local antifungal drugs are also used to treat oropharyngeal candidiasis. Assign rinses with solutions of "Amphotericin", "Clotrimazole", "Candida". A good effect is given by ointment "Nystatin". It is used for compresses and applications on the affected areas.
Often, patients are simultaneously diagnosed with candidiasis of the oropharynx and nasopharynx. How to treat such a combined pathology? In this case, therapy should be supplemented with antifungal drops for the nose based on fluconazole. Such a drug helps to reduce a runny nose and suppress fungal growth. Also shown is the washing of the nasopharynx with antiseptics, followed by the use of Lamicol ointment. It is applied to the nasal mucosa with a cotton swab.
Folk remedies
Treatment of candidiasis of the pharynx with traditional medicine can only be used as an addition to antifungal therapy. Before using herbal remedies, you need to consult a doctor. Rinse with decoction of the following herbs helps to reduce inflammation:
- daisies;
- sage;
- calendula
- hypericum.
To remove plaque, use a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon per glass of water). In this composition, you need to wet a cotton swab and treat the mucous membrane. Soda has a slight antifungal effect, since candida does not tolerate an alkaline environment.
Features of the therapy of infants
Treatment of candidiasis of the pharynx in infants has its own characteristics. As already mentioned, children are often infected with thrush from nursing mothers suffering from candidiasis of the breast. If a sick woman continues to breastfeed and does not follow any precautions, then the infection constantly passes from mother to child and vice versa.
To prevent the infection from circling in the circle, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Treatment of the child and mother is carried out simultaneously. The baby is prescribed antifungal drugs, and the woman is given an antimycotic cream for treating the skin.
- It is necessary to thoroughly disinfect breast pumps, as well as nipples and bottles. They are recommended to be washed in a solution of water and vinegar (in equal proportions).
- Doctors recommend that women use special bra pads that need to be changed regularly. Otherwise, the fungus will go to underwear.
Nutrition principles
An effective treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis is impossible without following a special diet. You must adhere to the following nutritional rules:
- Eat only liquid food at room temperature. Such food does not irritate the throat.
- Exclude fatty, sweet and carbohydrate foods. Such food creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of the fungus.
- Sharp seasonings should be avoided, as they increase pain when swallowing.
- Vegetable, fruit and dairy dishes should predominate in the diet. To ensure that the body receives a sufficient amount of protein, you can eat dietary meat (chicken, turkey) in pureed form.
- Alcohol and carbonated drinks should be completely abandoned.
The diet must be observed until complete recovery.
Prevention
How to prevent oropharyngeal candidiasis? To avoid manifestations of an unpleasant disease, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Daily clean the oral cavity and tooth surface from food debris and plaque.
- Never use someone else's toothbrush and utensils from which a sick person ate.
- Antiseptic to treat any wounds in the oral cavity.
- Heal caries, tonsillitis and ARVI in time.
- Avoid uncontrolled use of antibiotics.
- Try to strengthen the immune system. If necessary, take immunomodulators.
If signs of thrush appear, you should immediately seek medical help. It is impossible to cure such a disease on your own. In the absence of therapy, a fungal infection can go to the internal organs and lead to serious consequences.