Candidiasis (Thrush) - The AIDS InfoNet

New Mexico AIDS InfoNet

Fact Sheet Number 516

CANDIDIASIS (Thrush)

WHAT IS THRUSH?
CAN IT BE PREVENTED?
HOW IS IT TREATED?
NATURAL THERAPIES
THE BOTTOM LINE

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WHAT IS THRUSH?

Candidiasis is an infection caused by a common type of yeast.

This yeast (fungus) is found in almost everyone’s body. A healthy

immune system keeps it under control. Candidiasis is a common

opportunistic infection in people with HIV. It usually infects

the mouth, throat, or vagina.

In the mouth, the infection is called thrush. It looks

like white patches similar to cottage cheese, or red spots. It

can cause a sore throat, pain when swallowing, nausea, and loss

of appetite. The infection can spread deeper into the throat.

This is called esophagitis.

Candidiasis is a common vaginal infection. Symptoms of vaginitis

include itching, burning, and a thick whitish discharge.

CAN IT BE PREVENTED?

There is no way to prevent exposure to candida. Medications

are not normally used to prevent candidiasis because:

It is not very dangerous
There are effective drugs to treat it
The yeast could develop resistance to the medications.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

Treating candidiasis will not get rid of the yeast. Treatment

will keep it under control.

A healthy immune system keeps it in balance. Bacteria normally

found in the body also help control it. Some antibiotics kill

these helpful bacteria and cause an outbreak of candida.

Treatments can be local or systemic. Local treatments are applied

where the infection is found. Systemic treatments affect the

whole body. Many doctors prefer to use local treatment first.

It puts the medication directly where it is needed. It has fewer

side effects than a systemic treatment. Also, there is less risk

of candida becoming resistant to the medications. The medications

used to fight candida are antifungal drugs. Their names almost

all end in “-azole.”

Local treatments include creams, suppositories to
treat vaginitis, liquids, and “troches” or “lozenges”

that dissolve in the mouth. Local treatments may cause some

stinging or irritation.
Systemic treatment is needed if local treatments don’t
work, or if the infection has spread into the throat (esophagitis).

Some systemic drugs are taken in pill form. The most common

side effects are nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Less

than 20% of people have these side effects.

Candidiasis can come back repeatedly. Some doctors prescribe

anti-fungal drugs on a long-term basis. This can cause resistance.

The yeast can mutate so that a drug no longer works.

Amphotericin B can be used in serious cases that do not respond

to other medications. It is a very potent and toxic drug, given

intravenously. The major side effects are kidney problems and

anemia. Other reactions include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting,

and headache. These usually get better after the first few doses.

NATURAL THERAPIES

Several non-drug therapies seem to help. They have not been carefully

studied to prove that they work.

Reducing the amount of sugar you eat .
Pau d’Arco tea is made from the bark of a South American
tree. It is reported to have antifungal properties.
Garlic has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. However,
it can interfere with protease inhibitor drugs.
Tea tree oil can be diluted in water and gargled.
Lactobacillus (acidophilus), found in yogurt, is a bacteria
that controls fungus. It may help to take it after taking antibiotics.
Gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) and Biotin both seem to help prevent
the spread of candida. GLA is found in several cold-pressed

oils. Biotin is a B vitamin.