Oral fungal infection (Thrush)

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Oral fungal infection (Thrush) ➤ Self-assessment checklist: º White or cream-white spots/patches on lips, inside the mouth, on tongue, and/or roof of the mouth º Cottage cheese-like appearance º Patches can be scraped off º May experience dry mouth and/or loss of taste ➤ What is thrush? Thrush is a yeast infection that causes white patches in the mouth and on the tongue. Thrush is most common in babies and older adults, but it can occur at any age. Thrush in babies is usually not serious. ➤ What causes thrush? You get thrush when a yeast called Candida, normally found on the body, grows out of control. In babies, Candida causes thrush because babies' immune systems are not yet strong enough to control the growth of the yeast. Older people get thrush because their immune systems can weaken with age. Some people get thrush when they take certain medicines, such as antibiotics or inhaled corticosteroids. People who have certain health problems, such as diabetes or HIV, are also more likely to get thrush. ➤ What are the symptoms? The most common symptoms of thrush are white patches that stick to the inside of the mouth and tongue. In babies, it is easy to mistake thrush for milk or formula. It looks like cottage cheese or milk curds. Don't try to wipe away these patches, because you can make them red and sore. Some babies with thrush can be cranky and do not want to eat.