What is genital
candidiasis?
Candidiasis, also known as a "yeast infection" or VVC, is a common
fungal infection that occurs when there is overgrowth of the fungus
called Candida. Candida is always present in the body in small
amounts. However, when an imbalance occurs, such as when the normal
acidity of the vagina changes or when hormonal balance changes,
Candida can multiply. When that happens, symptoms of candidiasis
appear.
What are the symptoms of genital
candidiasis?
Women with VVC usually experience
genital
itching or burning, with or without a "cottage cheese-like"
vaginal discharge. Males
with genital candidiasis may experience an itchy rash on the
penis.
How common is genital candidiasis, and
who can get it?
Nearly 75% of all adult women have had at least one genital "yeast
infection" in their lifetime. On rare occasions, men may also
experience genital candidiasis. VVC occurs more frequently and more
severely in people with weakened immune systems. There are some other
conditions that may put a woman at risk for genital candidiasis:
How is genital candidiasis
transmitted?
Most cases of Candida infection are caused by the person's own
Candida organisms. Candida yeasts usually live in the mouth,
gastrointestinal tract, and vagina without causing symptoms .
Symptoms develop only when Candida becomes overgrown in these sites.
Rarely, Candida can be passed from person to person, such as through
sexual intercourse.
How is genital candidiasis
diagnosed?
The symptoms of genital candidiasis are similar to those of many
other genital infections. Making a diagnosis usually requires
laboratory testing of a genital swab taken from the affected area by
a physician.
How is genital candidiasis
treated?
Antifungal drugs which are taken orally, applied directly to the
affected area, or used vaginally are the drugs of choice for vaginal
yeast infections. Although these drugs usually work to cure the
infection (80%-90% success rate), infections that do not respond to
treatment are becoming more common, especially in HIV-infected women
receiving long-term antifungal therapy. Prolonged and frequent use of
these treatments can lessen their effectiveness.
What is the difference between the 3-day
treatments and the 7 day treatments for genital
candidiasis?
The only difference between these is the length of treatment.
Three-day and 7-day treatments may both be effective.
Are over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for
genital candidiasis safe to use?
Over-the-counter treatments for VVC are becoming more available.
As a result more women are diagnosing themselves with VVC and using
one of a family of drugs called "azoles" for therapy. However,
misdiagnosis is common, and studies have shown that as many as
two-thirds of all OTC drugs sold to treat VVC were used by women
without the disease. Using these drugs when they are not needed may
lead to a resistant infection. Resistant infections are very
difficult to treat with the currently available medications for
VVC.
Can Candida infections become resistant
to treatment?
Overuse of these antifungal medications can increase the chance
that they will eventually not work (the fungus develops resistance to
medications). Therefore, it is important to be sure of the diagnosis
before treating with over-the-counter or other antifungal
medications.
What will happen if a person does not
seek treatment for genital candidiasis?
Symptoms, which may be very uncomfortable, may persist. There is a
chance that the infection may be passed between sex partners.
How can someone tell the difference
between genital candidiasis and a urinary tract
infection?
Because VVC and
urinary
tract infections share similar symptoms, such as a burning
sensation when urinating, it is important to see a doctor and obtain
laboratory testing to determine the cause of the symptoms and to
treat effectively.
Reprinted from the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC)
