Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth. It is not contagious and is usually successfully treated with antifungal medication.
Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth. It is not contagious and is usually successfully treated with antifungal medication.
It is also called oral candidosis (or candidiasis) because it is caused by a group of yeasts called Candida.
Symptoms of oral thrush can include:
In some cases, the symptoms of oral thrush can make eating and drinking difficult.
Speak to a pharmacist if you have symptoms of oral thrush. If left untreated, symptoms can persist, and your mouth might continue to feel uncomfortable. Your pharmacist will usually be able to diagnose oral thrush by examining your mouth.
If pharmacy treatments don't help, see your doctor, who may recommend other medication. They may also order blood tests to check for other conditions that can be associated with oral thrush, such as diabetes and nutritional deficiencies.
Low numbers of the fungus Candida are naturally found in the mouth and digestive system of most people. They don't usually cause any problems, but can lead to oral thrush if they multiply.
There are a number of reasons why this may happen, including:
Babies, young children and elderly people are at a particularly high risk of developing oral thrush, as are people with certain underlying conditions, including diabetes, an
or , an and .As most people already have Candida fungi living in their mouth, oral thrush is not contagious. This means it cannot be passed to others.
Oral thrush can usually be successfully treated with
. These usually come in the form of gels or liquid that you apply directly inside your mouth (topical medication), although tablets or capsules are sometimes used.Topical medication will usually need to be used several times a day for around 7 to 14 days. Tablet or capsules are usually taken once daily.
These medications don't often have side effects, although some can cause nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, bloating, abdominal (tummy) pain and
.If antibiotics or corticosteroids are thought to be causing your oral thrush, the medicine – or the way it is delivered – may need to be changed or the dosage reduced.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your chances of developing oral thrush, including:
If you have a condition or are receiving treatment that could put you at a high risk of developing oral thrush, your doctor may recommend taking a course of antifungal medication to prevent this happening.
Read more about dental health and
.Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.