Candida vulvovaginitis physical examination

Candidiasis Main page
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Candidiasis, commonly called yeast infection or thrush, is a fungal infection (mycosis) of any of the Candida species, of which Candida albicans is the most common. Candidiasis thereby encompasses infections that range from superficial, such as oral thrush and vaginitis, to systemic and potentially life-threatening diseases.

History and symptoms

In immunocompetent people, candidiasis can usually only be found in exposed and moist parts of the body, such as:

• the oral cavity (oral thrush)
• the vagina and/or vulva (vaginal candidiasis or thrush)
• folds of skin in the diaper area (diaper rash)
• the nipples while breastfeeding
• the penis or foreskin
• the armpit
• the ear
• the skin around the nostrils or in the nostrils

Candidiasis is the second most common cause of vaginal irritation, or vaginitis, and can also occur on the male genitals. In immunocompromised patients, the Candida infection can involve the esophagus and can become systemic, causing a much more serious condition: fungemia.

Children, mostly between the ages of 3 and 9 years, can be affected by chronic mouth yeast infections, normally seen around the mouth as white patches. However, this is not a common condition.

See Also

• Candida albicans
• Oral candidiasis

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