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What Is Oral Thrush?

From , former About.com Guide

Updated January 07, 2011

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Definition: The medical term for oral thrush is oropharyngeal candidiasis. Oral thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth. Signs and symptoms of oral thrush include discomfort that may be severe, as well as white patches and / or ulcers in the mouth. Both oral and vaginal yeast infection can be caused by antibiotic use. Babies, people who wear dentures, people who use inhaled corticosteroids, and the immunocompromised are all at elevated risk of getting oral thrush. Anti-fungal drugs known as azoles, particularly fluconazole, are the recommended treatment for oral thrush.

Source:

Pappas PG, Kauffman CA, Andes D, Benjamin DK Jr, Calandra TF, Edwards JE Jr, Filler SG, Fisher JF, Kullberg BJ, Ostrosky-Zeichner L, Reboli AC, Rex JH, Walsh TJ, Sobel JD, Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of candidiasis: 2009 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 2009 Mar 1;48(5):503-35.

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