Oral thrush / Oral candidiasis

 

What is oral thrush?

Oral thrush is an infection of the oral mucus membrane and tongue by the fungus Candida albicans.

Oral thrush is commonly occur in infants and toddlers. The infection is typically mild and rarely causes serious problems and it's easily treat by antifungal drugs. People with weakened immune systems, it can spread to other parts of body and cause potentially serious complications.

Causes of oral thrush

Oral thrush is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans.

Symptoms of oral thrush

• White patches of bumps resembling milk curds over tongue, lips, gingival and buccal mucous membranes.
• When patches removed they leave a bright red base and left oozing surface.
• Baby refuses feeding.
• Baby have difficulty in swallowing.

Who is at risk for oral thrush?

• Baby get infection during birth from a contaminated birth canal.
• From contact with infected infants and contaminated hands of care giver.
• May occur when antibiotic therapy changes oral flora.
• Contaminated feeding bottle, teats and infected mother breast nipple.

Diagnosis of Oral thrush

Oral thrush is simply diagnosed by examination of mouth by doctor. Some time, doctor may take a biopsy of the oral cavity patches and throat swab culture to conform the diagnosis.

Treatment of oral thrush

• Nurse give instruction to mother follow hygienic steps to feed her baby and during care.
• Antifungal medications are used in treatment of oral thrush. The most commonly used drugs are Nystatin, Amphotericin B, Fluconazole, and Clotrimazole.
• Some time doctor prescribed local application of 1% aqueous solution of gentian violet on the mucous membrane twice daily after feeding for 2-3 days effective in treatment of oral thrush.
• Nurse warn to baby mother about discoloration of infant mouth due to gentian violet is normal and it's temporary.
• Once treatment is begins, oral thrush usually goes away with in a week.
• If baby develops oral thrush and her mother breast or nipple have yeast infection, it's important to get treatment for both baby and her mother. This can help prevent a cycle of transmission.