Is Oral Thrush Contagious

Oral thrush, as the name suggests, is a condition which affects the mouth. To be specific, fungus known as Candida albicans accumulates on the lining of the mouth. Babies, people who wear dentures, those who have a compromised immune system or people who are into inhaling corticosteroids are the ones who are commonly affected by oral thrush. The condition can affect anyone, though. The ailment is of a little concern for people who are healthy. But not for those who are ailing with some other conditions. For them, the symptoms of oral thrush become severe and go out of control.

Can Oral Thrush Pass From One Person to Another?

Before getting to the answer, it is to be known that Candida albicans are a normal inhabitant of the body, including the mouth. Meaning, they are a part of the body microflora, and are present in a small number. So they are easily controlled by the body. However, upon kissing someone who is already ailing from oral thrush, there is a possibility that you might be increasing the number of Candida albicans you already have. The level might get increased so much so that your body becomes unable to handle them and, as a result, symptoms of oral thrush develops.

So, technically oral thrush is not contagious. Merely kissing anyone does not give you thrush. It is just the increase in fungi in your mouth which might make the difference between you contracting the illness, or not.

Important Symptoms

During the first few days, there might be no noticeable symptoms which get revealed. However, there might be sudden outbursts and the symptoms tend to stay for a long time. Prominent oral thrush symptoms are lesions which develop on the tongue and inner cheeks. These lesions are white and creamy in color and may also appear on the roof of the mouth, gum and tonsils. Also, these lesions may bear the appearance of cottage cheese. The lesions may be painful and might bleed, if rubbed or scraped. The corners of the mouth may appear cracked and there might be a feeling of cotton being stuffed in the mouth. Loss of taste is also a common symptom of oral thrush. In cases which take on a severe form, the lesions may spread into the esophagus, and this might make it difficult to swallow food.

Infants may also pass the infection to their mothers while breast feeding. Symptoms which a mother may experience include red, sensitive and itchy nipples, accompanied by shiny or flaky skin on the areola. Nipples might be painful during feeding and mothers might experience stabbing pain, deep within the breasts.

Oral Thrush Causes and Treatment

The condition develops as a result of weakened immune system or an imbalance of good and bad microbes. Medical conditions which might make one more susceptible to oral thrush include HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes and vaginal yeast infections.

Oral thrush treatment lays its focus on preventing the spread of the fungus. It also depends upon the age, overall health and underlying cause. For healthy individuals, yogurt (unsweetened) or taking acidophilus capsules or liquid may be advised. Mothers and infants who may be at a risk of developing the infection, will be treated so as to prevent the spread of the disease back and forth. Babies may be prescribed with mild antifungal medication and mothers, with antifungal creams to be applied to their breasts. For people with a compromised weakened system, different forms of antifungal medications may be recommended.

Knowing about the symptoms of oral thrush and addressing them on the right time, can provide a great deal of help in treating the disease, before it gets way too worse.