What is Candida and Candidiasis?

Note: this series is not a summary of refereed work, unlike most of our other series!

What is candida? if we look for a definition in Google, we find that "Candida is a genus of yeasts, (the most important being Candida Albicans) that can cause fungal infections ("candidiasis") in humans and other animals" (Wikipedia), and that it typically lives in the intestines but can spread to other parts of the body when the immune system is suppressed. The predominant type of candida is Candida Albicans (meaning "whitish").

Candidiasis is responsible for several illnesses. The prestigious Harvard Medical School web site lists the following:

• Thrush - a mouth infection caused by Candida. It affects areas around the lips and inside the mouth. It is common in people with suppressed immune systems.

• Esophagitis — Candida that spreads to the esophagus from the mouth. Common in people with suppressed immune systems.

• Skin candidiasis - diaper rash is an example.

• Vaginal yeast infection - 75% of all women are likely to have one such infection during their lifetime.

• Deep candidiasis - candida spreads through the bloodstream to the entire body. This can cause fever, shock, and multiple organ failure. A survey by the Center for Disease Control estimates that 8 out of 100,000 people are infected each year.

Treatment of the more severe of these symptoms often involves powerful antifungal drugs, taken under medical supervision. The less severe require topical antifungal drugs. If you have symptoms of candidiasis, you should see a physician, especially if you have a chronic illness or have a weakened immune system due to cancer, HIV, or medications that suppress the immune system.


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