Is thrush transmitted through household contact? Perianal candidiasis or “gay gut”. Video on topic

There should be no doubt about whether thrush is contagious - yes, this disease is actively transmitted in everyday life and when communicating with strangers. What is especially important is the fact that the fungus that causes the disease can live outside the host’s body, and thus common areas also pose a risk of infection. People can infect each other with thrush without expecting it.

How contagious is thrush?

Much has been said about the fact that fungi of the genus Candida, which cause thrush, are found in the body of almost every person. This makes it difficult to understand how candidiasis can be contagious.

After all, if the microorganism already exists, why does some kind of infection occur and thrush begins? It is worth highlighting several factors that influence infection, methods for preventing which will be discussed further.

• There are several types of Candida fungus, and it is not necessary that the one “met” by the immune system will be familiar to it. It can overcome infections known to the immune system - this is what allows you not to become infected with certain diseases several times in a row. The body’s defenses and mucosal microflora cannot cope with an unknown strain of bacteria. Re-infection can also constantly occur through transmission from a partner at home or during sex.
• When the balance of the microflora of the mucous membranes is disturbed, the same infection occurs with its own fungus, because in fact its overly active reproduction and displacement of other bacteria begins.
• It has been scientifically proven that the fungus is in the body of more than 50% of healthy people who have never had thrush. This, however, does not exclude the fact that for others, any fungal infections are a 100% way of contracting thrush, which cannot be avoided.

Methods of infection

Many people believe that thrush is transmitted sexually and nothing else. This is one of the most dangerous misconceptions about this disease. It costs nothing to become infected with it through everyday life at home, at work, at school or in any public place, for example, in the gym or in a massage parlour.

Firstly, being a carrier of thrush, a person does not even suspect it, because the infection can be in “sleeping” mode until it finds itself in more favorable conditions. Thus, in a couple, a woman can infect a man without knowing it, and vice versa. Secondly, the Candida fungus is able to survive outside the human body, and therefore is quickly transmitted.

For example, a woman can become infected with candidiasis by using other people's bath products, without checking the cleanliness of public bathrooms before sitting down, and sharing lip cosmetics with someone else.

Thrush in men often begins with the accumulation of fungus on the underwear. It is especially bad that at this stage, a man is often simply a carrier of thrush, and ultimately infects his wife.

Everyone is at risk of contracting skin candidiasis, because it is literally transmitted from palm to palm. Thus, a man is more likely to become infected with thrush in this way than a woman, due to the habit of shaking hands. The fungus remains on the same cloth hand towels in restrooms, so disposable paper ones are considered a more hygienic option. Sanitation rules are largely dictated by how you can become infected with thrush, and are aimed at preventing this.

Sexual partners: sexually transmitted infection

The most famous type of disease is genital, so most people know whether thrush is sexually transmitted. Indeed, most often this is how thrush is transmitted from man to woman and vice versa. This problem can arise even in a stable couple, where there is no doubt about the fidelity of both partners. This is explained by the temporary weakening of the immune system or the beginning of dysbiosis in one person. Most often, a woman becomes infected this way, because a man can be a carrier of thrush without getting sick himself. Of course, the opposite happens, but the structure of the male genital organs allows you to quickly get rid of the disease. The husband will have to treat thrush together with his wife, because otherwise there is a risk of re-infection.

A guy and a girl who are just beginning to have sexual life together experience candidiasis due to the fact that the microflora of each has not yet “gotten used” to each other. Doctors' opinions differ here. Some insist that thrush will not be transmitted sexually between regular partners if their immune systems “get used” to each other. Therefore, they do not recommend standard treatment of symptoms, but prescribe tonic drugs for both partners, and for women - vaginal suppositories with lactobacilli.

Chronic thrush in a couple indicates that at least one of the partners is likely to have pathologies of the immune system, metabolism and endocrine system. Such a signal cannot be ignored. You definitely need to see a doctor to get diagnosed and protect yourself from much more serious problems than just thrush, no matter how contagious it may be.

Candidiasis and children

Caring parents, of course, are concerned about whether it is possible to infect a child with thrush. Unfortunately, this is possible. Children are very susceptible to infectious diseases. They can receive a diagnosis of candidiasis after infection during childbirth, when communicating with relatives, or in a children's group. The following main risk factors can be identified:

• thrush in women, ignored before and during pregnancy;
• violation of sanitary and hygienic standards by medical staff;
• communication with relatives who are carriers of thrush;
• congenital or acquired diseases of the immune and endocrine systems;
• untimely change of diapers, underwear, exchange of stale bed linen between children;
• close communication in children's groups where there may be a thrush carrier.

If a child is diagnosed with chronic pathologies that reduce resistance to infections, doctors recommend reducing the number of contacts with third parties and adhering to stricter personal hygiene rules. Of course, the child develops normal tolerance to the microflora of the parents, but any guests must wash their hands and kiss and hug other people’s children as little as possible. No matter how much I would like to doubt whether candidiasis is transmitted this way, it is true. Thrush is actually transmitted through kissing.

Is it possible to prevent it?

Since thrush is transmitted to a partner in a couple not only through bed, protection methods will not only be about contraception. How candida is transmitted has already been discussed earlier, and therefore it will be easy to derive rules for preventing infection:

• using only personal intimate hygiene and personal care items;
• maintaining your own immunity at the proper level;
• reduction of tactile contacts of the sick person with healthy family members, especially children;
• constant monitoring of health status;
• using disinfectants after visiting public places, teaching children to do the same;
• protected sex, especially at the beginning of a joint sexual life, when thrush is quickly transmitted between a woman and a man due to the fact that their bodies have not yet developed an immune response to unfamiliar microflora.

Knowing exactly how candidiasis is transmitted really helps to avoid the disease. The good news is that just as quickly as you get thrush, you can recover from it. The main thing is not to ignore the very first symptoms and start treatment together with your partner on time.

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A huge number of people suffer from diseases such as candidiasis or thrush. This fungal infection can occur due to the proliferation of Candida yeast-like fungi present in any body. In most cases, the beautiful half of humanity is exposed to this disease. However, men and children can also become infected with thrush. What is thrush? How can you become infected with this disease? Is it sexually transmitted?

The fungus that causes the disease is a constant companion of humans. It is present in small quantities in the intestines, skin, oral mucosa, and also in the vagina. When a person’s immunity decreases, the acidity of the flora changes, or long-term treatment is carried out, including taking antibiotics, the fungus multiplies and progresses.

Methods of infection

Intrauterine infection

The first method of infection is intrauterine infection. The fungus is transmitted from mother to fetus before or during childbirth. To avoid transmitting candidiasis to an unborn child, it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner. At the first signs of thrush, you should consult a gynecologist.

Infection with candidiasis can also occur after the birth of a child. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly observe hygiene standards, monitor the cleanliness of objects with which the baby comes into contact (pacifiers, bottles, clothes, etc.). It is very important that mom takes care of her health. Otherwise, she can transmit the disease when feeding the baby.

Infection from the digestive system

Many experts confirm the fact that frequent relapses of genital candidiasis in women occur due to the presence of infection in the intestines. The interesting thing is that intestinal and vaginal fungi are completely identical. The presence of fungus in the intestines significantly increases the risk of contracting genital candidiasis.

Sexual transmission

Sexual transmission is considered the main method of transmission of thrush. Most often, such infection occurs due to unprotected sexual intercourse.

Infection through oral-genital sex

There is a possibility of infection with thrush through oral-genital sex. The fungus may be present on the mucous membrane in the mouth, so it is not difficult to become infected this way.

Failure to comply and violation of the rules and regulations of personal hygiene can cause and aggravate the disease.

To prevent candidiasis, you must do the following:

• strengthen your immune system;
• engage in physical exercise, strengthen yourself;
• eat healthy and wholesome food, vitamins;
• maintain hygiene;
• wear clean underwear;
• avoid stress;
• treat chronic ailments, and also monitor the condition of the genitourinary system of your body.

Compliance with the presented rules will help to avoid complications and relapses of the disease.

Can you get thrush from a man or a woman?

Can a man become infected and get thrush from a woman? The methods by which candidiasis is transmitted are still controversial among medical workers. Many believe that only the fair sex is infected with it, others tend to think that the carrier is a man.

Where does the fungus come from?

Men who have been diagnosed with candidiasis are perplexed, how can you get thrush?

First, it’s worth understanding what kind of disease this is. The presence of Candida fungus in the body of every person (it can inhabit the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, genitals, and intestines) is considered normal. It interacts with other microorganisms, creating a favorable microflora. Health problems cause the uncontrolled development of yeast-like fungus, which leads to thrush, known medically as candidiasis.

Factors provoking the disease

According to this position, the development of the disease can occur if a pathogenic fungus enters the body of a man whose immune system is weakened. This is influenced by:

• Taking antibiotics (in parallel with them, the attending physician should prescribe drugs that support intestinal microflora).
• Hormonal therapy, to which the fungus is highly sensitive.
• Lack of vitamins (or their reduced content).
• Metabolic problems (sometimes candidiasis develops due to poor nutrition).
• The man has endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus also affects the growth of the fungus, which “feeds” on glucose). They need to simultaneously take vitamin complexes prescribed by the doctor.
• Diseases associated with dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and beer. They are attributed to a high percentage of sugar, and in beer (even medical preparations containing brewer's yeast) there is a high indicator of the presence of yeast. This is the most favorable soil for pathogenic microorganisms.

Risk group

Based on such predispositions, we can conclude that men themselves are capable of being carriers of Candida. The routes of infection are the following:

1. Insufficient hygiene. For example, candidiasis from the intestines enters the groin area due to poor compliance with sanitary standards (genital hygiene and hand washing after using the toilet).
2. Infection through household means. In conditions of living together, when an infected girl, child or roommate and a healthy man share towels, the likelihood of introducing a pathogenic microorganism into his body is extremely high.
3. A small proportion of infections occur in public places such as saunas and swimming pools. But, as a rule, workers chlorinate the water, so only men with weakened immune systems have the possibility of infection.

But the most common reason why a representative of the stronger half of humanity develops urogenital candidiasis is the partner.

How candidiasis is transmitted from partner to partner

Vaginal candidiasis (about 25% of women suffer from it), with unprotected sexual intercourse (without a condom) will lead to the fact that thrush will manifest itself in a man. According to one hypothesis, it is the partners who are carriers of the pathogenic microorganism, but the disease in many is asymptomatic, so signs of the disease appear in a woman in a shorter time.

Routes of infection

According to another version, candidiasis appears in guys only because of genital thrush in sexual partners. They become infected if:

1. A genital pathogenic microorganism occurs in a pregnant woman (due to hormonal changes), so the wife transmits the fungus to her husband.
2. The partner becomes an “intermediate link”. During oral-genital sex, a girl (who has a pathogenic fungus in her mouth) touches the guy’s genitals with her lips. This is how both he and she become infected - only with the vaginal form of thrush.
3. Candidiasis appears in a partner if he had contact with one girl (infected), but he develops thrush without signs. There remains a high probability that the next partner will be infected with it and develop symptoms. In the further continuation of their sexual life, the partner becomes re-infected. At first glance, the girl became the carrier of the disease. In fact, he is a partner.

Symptoms of candidiasis

In order not to be lost in guesswork, the couple must jointly undergo an examination and a course of treatment prescribed by a gynecologist and urologist (or andrologist, therapist).

The first signs of thrush are:

• Itching in the area of ​​the penis, in particular the glans.
• Burning. The symptom appears due to the fact that Candida affects the mucous membrane and inflammation occurs. It can be enhanced by excretory products from the genitourinary system.
• A cheesy coating, which is where the popular name “thrush” comes from.
• Redness, rash-like rash.
• Pain during urination and sexual intercourse.

It is necessary to treat the disease (medication methods are the most reliable).

But anyone who has already encountered symptoms of genital fungus knows: unpleasant signs will force the patient to go to the clinic as soon as possible.

No one is to blame, but what to do?

If the question of who infected whom with pathogenic microorganisms has different interpretations, in any case, both partners should immediately undergo treatment, even if the guy was not diagnosed with the disease, and his partner had symptoms.

• If a young person has no symptoms, the doctor may prescribe a one-time dose of the drug in tablet form.
• If there are pronounced signs of thrush, the specialist prescribes medications not only internally (antifungal drugs in the form of capsules, tablets), but also for topical use - ointments, creams.

Under no circumstances should you use this medication without medical advice for yourself and your partner. In the case of pregnancy, which the girl may not know about, they can be harmed.

• In addition to therapeutic methods, it is worth paying special attention to general strengthening procedures (normalize work schedule, stop drinking alcohol, exclude sweets and white yeast bread, beer).
• During treatment, use a condom during sexual intercourse.
• Include more fiber, fresh herbs and vegetables in your diet.

Candidiasis in representatives of the stronger half of humanity can manifest itself after sexual contact with a partner, so they should also undergo treatment and lifestyle changes together.

Only a qualified doctor will help prescribe effective remedies that will make you forget about the unaesthetic disease.

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Where does candidiasis come from in women?

There are such happy women who do not know what candidiasis is. But most have encountered this unpleasant disease at least once in their lives. And many suffer from itching often. Such women are perplexed: where does thrush come from? After all, they carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene, use effective medications, but the symptoms of candidiasis still return.

Why is this happening? You need to know the causes of thrush in women, its symptoms and methods of prevention in order to properly protect yourself from this unpleasant disease.

What is thrush

This is the name for a disease of the mucous membranes caused by the Candida fungus. This name comes from the fact that when infected, redness, itching and a white, curd-like discharge occur. In women, candidiasis mainly develops on the vaginal mucosa.

Where does thrush come from? Candida fungi are permanent residents of the human body. They do not come from outside, but live in the intestines, vagina and on the oral mucosa. Such an environment is called opportunistic because it does not cause harm as long as the microorganisms are in balance with each other.

In some people, the proliferation of these fungi is suppressed by the immune system and normal intestinal microflora. In others, their growth leads to the appearance of candidiasis.

Vaginal candidiasis: causes of appearance

The normal microflora of a woman’s vagina contains various bacteria. They maintain the balance of microorganisms and inhibit the proliferation of fungi. But under certain conditions, the vaginal microflora is disrupted: beneficial lactobacilli die, and the environment becomes alkaline.

This situation is favorable for fungi. They begin to multiply without encountering resistance from the disturbed microflora. Symptoms such as itching, burning and cheesy discharge with a sour odor appear. And then the doctor diagnoses the woman with thrush.

It is believed that the main cause of candidiasis in women is unprotected sexual intercourse. But it is not so. After all, there are often cases that one partner has symptoms of candidiasis, while the other is not infected, and vice versa. Statistics on the frequent occurrence of thrush in girls also speaks against this opinion.

In fact, the causes of candidiasis can be both external - poor hygiene or infection, and internal - weakened immunity or chronic diseases.

How can you become infected with candidiasis?

Photo of thrush in women

Despite the fact that Candida fungi constantly live in the human body, if they enter the mucous membrane in large quantities from the outside, thrush develops. This occurs in an organism weakened by disease or an unhealthy lifestyle. How do fungi get from outside onto the vaginal mucosa?

• during unprotected sexual intercourse from a partner with candidiasis;
• from dirty hands, because there are a lot of fungi in the environment;
• from water, for example, after the sea or swimming in a pool;
• when transferring microflora from the intestines due to non-compliance with hygiene rules;
• through soap, towel or other objects.

Other external causes of thrush

But sometimes it happens that a woman follows the rules of hygiene, but fungi still multiply. Various factors can provoke an increase in their number.

Fungi like to multiply in a moist, warm environment, so candidiasis occurs most often in the vagina.

What factors cause its appearance?

1. Wearing tight and synthetic underwear that does not allow air to pass through and creates a favorable environment for fungi. Thongs also provoke candidiasis, as they lead to the transfer of microorganisms from the intestines or their entry from the outside. Staying in wet swimming trunks for a long time, for example, on the beach after swimming, is also a common cause of candidiasis.
2. Where does thrush come from in those women who carefully monitor personal hygiene and love to swim? Frequent use of soap and aggressive detergents to cleanse the genitals leads to disruption of the microflora. Beneficial bacteria are destroyed by soap, and fungi multiply quickly. This also happens due to frequent douching.

Therefore, it is better to use only special neutral products for washing.

1. Incorrect use of panty liners and tampons. Such hygiene products need to be changed every 2 hours. They should be made from natural materials that allow air to pass through well and absorb moisture. But even in this case, they can serve as a favorable environment for fungi.
2. Most often, symptoms of thrush appear in the summer. The reason for this is the hot climate, which promotes the proliferation of microorganisms. Therefore, many women suffer from this disease on vacation. Thrush can also appear after going to sea if there are a lot of fungi in the water and the woman does not immediately change her wet underwear.
3. Candidiasis can be caused by a local allergic reaction when using scented toilet paper, scented pads and some shower gels.

Internal causes of thrush

The main factor causing the development of candidiasis is considered to be a decrease in immunity. The body cannot control the growth of fungi.

So where does thrush come from in women? The reasons for this are:

• long-term treatment with antibiotics always leads to the growth of fungal flora, as beneficial bacteria die;
• the presence of hidden urinary tract infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis and others;
• use of contraceptives containing the hormone estrogen;
• change in climatic conditions: vacation or moving to another place of residence;
• endocrine disorders, especially diabetes mellitus and thyroid dysfunction;
• Symptoms of thrush are often observed in patients with cancer, especially those undergoing chemotherapy;
• poor nutrition provokes the proliferation of fungi: abuse of sugar, smoked meats, spices, marinades and fatty foods;
• symptoms of thrush may indicate a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, anemia and other blood diseases;
• the causes of candidiasis are fluctuations in hormonal balance after taking certain medications, during adolescence, during menopause and even before menstruation;
• immunity decreases in chronic diseases: obesity, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis and others;
• intestinal dysbiosis causes frequent relapses of thrush;
• Recently, it has been believed that stress and other psychological factors may be the cause of candidiasis.

Many effective drugs have now been created to treat candidiasis. But often the symptoms return again, almost a month later. Where does thrush appear in women who follow the rules of prevention? Reproduction of fungi can only occur due to decreased immunity and disruption of the vaginal microflora. Therefore, this is worth paying attention to.

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The only remedy for thrush and diseases caused by Candida fungi, recommended by our subscribers!

Thrush is an extremely unpleasant disease familiar to many women. To finally defeat the disease, it is important to understand what the routes of infection are, whether thrush is transmitted from other people, and whether there is a chance of infecting a sexual partner or becoming infected from him.

Native microbe

Surprisingly, the microorganism that causes the development of thrush lives in the body of every person. It's called Candida, the scientific name for the disease is candidiasis. The yeast fungus Candida coexists peacefully with other bacteria without causing painful symptoms. There is no need to treat a person; the number of microbes is limited by the healthy conditions of the internal environment of the body. But if these conditions are violated, ideal conditions will arise for active growth of the fungus.

You can “catch” thrush by becoming infected with a fungus from the outside. But it is possible to “grow” the disease by destroying the body’s defenses, which provides favorable conditions for the development of “native” bacteria.

Manifestations of the disease

Candidiasis develops on the mucous membranes, including the oral cavity. But the most common reason for visiting a doctor is candidiasis of the genital mucosa, mainly in women. Due to the structural features of the genital organs, thrush occurs more often in them.

The pathogenic fungus actively multiplies and releases metabolic products. Thick, cheesy vaginal discharge appears, has a yellowish color and an unpleasant “fishy” odor. Candidiasis is accompanied by constant itching and sharp, severe pain when urinating - during and after sexual intercourse.

Thrush in men

Thrush is also diagnosed in men, although much less frequently. The structure of the male genital organs does not provide suitable conditions for the fungus to “thrive”. Male candidiasis is easier to treat than female candidiasis.

Symptoms of male candidiasis:

• whitish coating on the head of the penis;
• dry mucous membrane in this area;
• severe itching;
• possible redness and ulcers developing on the foreskin;
• pain during urination;
• pain during and after sexual intercourse.

Pathways of the disease

Candidiasis is an intimate disease. It causes a lot of inconvenience and problems, not only of a physical nature. A sick woman often worries whether thrush is transmitted by
sexual contact, whether it can infect a sexual partner.

On the other hand, it is important to know whether it is possible to “catch” the disease during unprotected sexual intercourse.

Every woman needs to be informed about the question: “How is thrush transmitted?” in order to avoid the disease.

It should be noted that it is easy to become infected with candidiasis. But at the same time, the risk of developing the disease is much higher against the background of weakened immunity, inflammatory infections, and disturbances in the microflora of the digestive and genital tracts. In a healthy body, even with direct contact with the fungus, pathology does not occur.

Infection of an infant

The first contact with the fungus occurs already in the first year of a baby’s life. This does not necessarily lead to the development of the disease; candida can exist peacefully in the body for many years.

But if the mother is sick with candidiasis or is a carrier of it, there is a high probability that the baby will develop thrush.

How is thrush transmitted from mother to child?

• In the womb. Candida is found even in the umbilical cord of the fetus, but direct infection mostly occurs during or after childbirth.
• During childbirth. Close contact of the mucous membranes (vagina and mouth) of the child with the mother’s genital tract causes the fungus to enter the body.
• In the first months of life. Infection can occur through contact with the mother's nipples and hands; active fungi can be found on food products, in milk, and on various objects.

Domestic infection

Candida fungus is extremely resilient. Once outside the owner’s body, he feels great and remains active for a long time. This ability explains how you can become infected with thrush through household means. The most common “transshipment objects” of the insidious fungus are: hygiene products, sponges, soap, pads and tampons, bed linen. It is very easy to become infected through pool water. An elementary rule for disease prevention: in order not to have to treat candidiasis, you need to maintain hygiene.

Autoinfection

If basic hygiene is not observed, it is difficult to treat thrush even with the most powerful antifungal drugs. Symptoms may disappear, but after this a relapse will certainly occur, and the source of infection will be the body itself (for example, bacteria from the intestines getting onto the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs). Primary infection through the oral route is also possible.

The female external genitalia are located too close to the terminal part of the digestive system, which can hardly be called sterile. Reinfection of the vagina occurs from the intestines.

• All parts of the intestine have a rich microflora, including the Candida fungus.
• If hygiene is not observed, even after successful treatment, relapses of thrush are possible.
• Taking antibiotics has a depressing effect on the bacterial microflora, as a result, Candida fungi are able to actively reproduce.
• Candidiasis must be treated comprehensively, not limited to the affected area.

Thrush and sex

The most exciting question: “Is it possible to become infected with candidiasis during sexual intercourse? Does sperm cause thrush?” Considering the fairly high pathogenicity of the Candida yeast fungus and the fact that during sex there is direct contact with the mucous membrane of the partner’s genital organs, it can be argued that it is quite possible to get thrush in this way. Moreover, it is not only vaginal sex that is dangerous. Contact of mucous membranes also occurs during sexual intercourse in the oral and anal way. During the last act, the disease can spread in both directions: oral candidiasis in one partner can cause genital thrush in the other, and vice versa.

If thrush is diagnosed in one person from an established permanent couple, both need to be treated for candidiasis. Moreover, it is better to interrupt sexual intercourse and resume after recovery. Often men do not have pronounced clinical symptoms of thrush, but they are carriers of the disease. In this case, sex and sharing things will cause a relapse of the disease in the woman. That is why both partners need to undergo a full course of treatment.

How to beat thrush?

Like any disease, candidiasis is easier to prevent than to treat. To do this, you need to maintain hygiene, maintain a healthy microflora in the body, control your sex life, and have a reliable permanent partner.

Self-medication for thrush is rarely effective. Symptoms may disappear for a short time, but then recur. In addition, it makes no sense to eliminate only the external manifestations of the disease. The entire body needs to be cleansed of fungus. Treatment of candidiasis is a complex, lengthy and complex process, so it is better to entrust it to a specialist.

Be healthy!

And a little about secrets...

Have you ever tried to get rid of thrush? Judging by the fact that you are reading this article, victory was not on your side. And of course you know firsthand what it is:

• white cheesy discharge
• severe burning and itching
• pain during sex
• bad smell
• discomfort when urinating

Now answer the question: are you satisfied with this? Can thrush be tolerated? How much money have you already wasted on ineffective treatment? That's right - it's time to end it! Do you agree? That is why we decided to publish an exclusive story from our subscriber, in which she revealed the secret of her getting rid of thrush.

What a wonderful event is the birth of a baby, and even greater happiness if he is born healthy. It’s a shame that very often babies are born having already contracted some kind of disease. Thrush often plays the role of a disease. Of course, parents do not expect such a turn of fate and find themselves unprepared, lost, and do not know what to do.

• on the oral mucosa;
• in the eye area;
• on the skin;
• this disease will not pass by the mucous membrane of the genitourinary system and intestines.

Causes of symptoms of infantile thrush

1. The mother's water around the fetus broke prematurely, and the birth was difficult.
2. There could be a fungus on the woman's nipples.
3. For the first time, my mother fed her baby not on the day of birth, but on the next day or even later.

A baby can acquire this disease from his mother. The thing is that the child in the womb is connected with its microflora. During the birth process, they come into contact and there is an impact on the mucous membrane of the baby, as well as on its skin.

Sometimes infant thrush can appear as a result of non-compliance with the most common hygiene requirements. In this case, various foreign objects could have contributed to the infection. Thrush in children should be treated as quickly as possible so that the disease does not begin to progress and continue to negatively affect the child’s immunity.
Let's summarize briefly. So, infantile thrush is an acquired serious disease that is manifested by pain.

Symptoms of thrush in children

How can you determine that a child has thrush (candidiasis)? First, open your baby's mouth. If you notice that

• cheeks, tongue, gums are covered with a white coating;
• the consistency of the plaque is a curdled mass;

Don’t think too long, but know that this is baby thrush. At first, this disease can be cured quite easily. But before treatment, still contact your pediatrician. The disease can be more complex. Your child will then have a fever. You may also encounter the appearance of blood when removing the resulting discharge. What to do in this case? It is necessary to apply treatment in combination, that is, take drugs orally (orally) and carry out local treatment.

A fungus belonging to the genus Candida causes this unwanted disease in our children. All of them (and adults too) have it in their bodies in normal quantities. As soon as good and favorable conditions are created, it simply begins to multiply, leading, accordingly, to thrush.
Very often, it is the acidic environment that promotes the growth of fungus in the mouth of a newborn. This symptom may also appear if the child

• is sick with dysbacteriosis;
• he got into the habit of falling asleep without removing the bottle from his mouth;
• burps quite often.

The presence of various infections in the intestines, allergic dermatitis and acute respiratory diseases can also lead to the appearance of thrush in children.

Treatment of thrush in infants

The first thing you have to deal with is getting rid of the reasons that allow Candida fungi to multiply quickly. Then, of course, you need to overcome the fungus itself.
If you notice extremely frequent regurgitation in your baby, understand why this is happening.

• Make sure your baby is attached to the breast correctly. When he sucks it, he should grab the circle around the nipple.
• What to do if your baby consumes food from a bottle? Follow this recommendation - the nipple should be filled with milk throughout the entire feeding process.
• At the end of the meal, pick up the baby and hold him in an upright position (the expression “column” is often used). This is necessary so that the child, let's say, lets out the air. You need to put him to bed only after this procedure.
• When he eats, do not perform any unnecessary actions: do not squeeze him, do not start changing clothes, do not start playing, etc. Leave him calm and lying down. Let him lie either in your arms or in the crib.
• If the methods used to improve the feeding process are unsuccessful, go to the doctor. He will help and tell you either some medicine or the necessary mixture for your baby.

What to do if other diseases contributed to the development of thrush? Of course, they need to be treated. If it is an acute respiratory infection, you should cure your runny nose, take medications that restore the immune system, and eat properly and well. With concomitant allergic dermatitis, it is necessary to adhere to a diet and be treated with anti-allergy medications.

Pay attention to your baby's stool and how he sleeps. If there are problematic situations in these matters, it is worth examining the intestines. Then it is necessary to cure dysbacteriosis if microflora disturbances are detected.
Never delay treatment for a disease such as thrush in babies. Otherwise, you can acquire many times more diseases. Then both the esophagus and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract will suffer, so it will be extremely difficult to fight thrush. This is your baby, take care of his well-being and health!

Genital thrush

Candidiasis can also reach the genitals of infants. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen. The source of the disease is the baby's mother. Girls may suffer from vulvitis in the first years of life. Thrush can occur due to poor hygiene. (Suppose both parents and child take one bath, and after bathing, they all use the same towel).

How scary is this disease? The danger is quite high. The fact is that during this period of time, the infected mucous membrane in girls can give impetus to both the fusion of the vagina and labia. Then you will only need to resort to the help of surgeons. Advice for mothers: to avoid such a disease, carefully monitor your genitals. If you see any red areas or any discharge, take action immediately, or rather, go to the clinic.

How to cure genital candidiasis in children?

In adolescent children, this disease can be cured with the help of various ointments and tablets containing substances that can kill the fungus. For example, it is recommended to use the following drugs: Kanison, Pimafucin, Clotrimazole, Diflucan and many others. This list of medications is also suitable for adults.

Fungal disease of the skin of a child

Now you can get acquainted with the places on the child’s skin where candidiasis often begins to appear, as well as with its appearance.

For the most part, skin folds are affected in areas such as:

• breast;
• shoulders;
• hips;
• in the anal area;
• in other places.

In order to make a correct diagnosis, the child should, of course, be taken for examination by a doctor. Since there were situations when dermatitis was confused with candidiasis. Thrush of the skin is a signal about the baby’s reduced immunity. This disease can also be a companion to allergic reactions. It is spreading quite quickly. So don’t hesitate to go to the doctor, he will tell you the right way and method of treatment for your child.

What does this type of candidiasis look like? It looks like wet lumps in the anus area. In this area, the skin is particularly tender and sensitive. When a baby defecates, a suitable environment for the growth of fungus is formed in this area. The result is a disease called fungal dermatitis.

The baby's skin can easily catch this infection, since the baby's bowel movements are frequent and thin when it feeds on the mother's breast. Accordingly, the acidity level of the discharge is excessive, the skin becomes easily vulnerable (especially when the baby has been wearing a diaper for a long time). If the cub suffers from intestinal dysbiosis, he may also begin to develop this disease. Areas that are often affected include:

• inguinal folds;
• armpits.

How to recognize fungal dermatitis in this case? It is characterized by small swollen areas. You know, they are even similar to pimples, which contain pus. With cutaneous candidiasis, the skin becomes somewhat rough and rough. The cub feels uncomfortable throughout the illness. This is caused by ongoing inflammation.

It is often necessary to notice formations that appear in the form of ulcers. In such situations, children are capable of refusing to eat, disturbed sleep, whims, etc. They have to endure the itching, in addition to the sensation of pain itself. And it is very difficult for infants to cope with such symptoms.

Thrush in the eye area in children

The eye area of ​​children, which is affected by the fungus, often suffers. This disease is called candidal conjunctivitis. How to identify this disease? It is characterized by the following symptoms:

• eyes become watery and red;
• eyelids swell;
• the mucous membrane swells.

The disease is quite dangerous, as various complications can occur. They can lead to impairment of the child’s vision and his condition as a whole. How could one become infected with this type of candidiasis? A newborn could become infected during childbirth from his mother who was sick with this disease. Thus, following the birth canal, it is very easy to get an infection.

The result of infection will be the affected mucous membrane of the eye. This phenomenon can be encountered extremely often. Most doctors resort to prevention goals. How? After birth, they take drops that kill bacteria and put them in the babies’ eyes. Eyelid ointments are also used.

Other diseases have similar symptoms, so to establish a specific diagnosis, you must consult an ophthalmologist. You just have to do it on time. Otherwise, complications will occur in the future. More specifically, the child may either become completely blind or partially lose his vision.

If you strictly follow the doctor's instructions, you can get rid of both the irritating symptoms and the infection itself.

Infantile oral thrush

Thrush in a child’s mouth is a variation of a disease such as stomatitis. When it occurs, a coating in the form of cheesy specks forms in the baby’s mouth. Stomatitis, of course, creates more discomfort than thrush (candidiasis). But, even with this disease, the child refuses to eat, thereby his immune system becomes weaker.

To get rid of thrush, they resort to solutions and oil-based ointments. (Allowed if prescribed by a doctor). They are applied to the oral mucosa with a cotton swab wrapped around a finger. If there are dried crusts, they need to be soaked. A light solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) or an oil solution is suitable for this.

Doctors also advise using a soda solution. In this case, you need to wipe or spray the oral mucosa. Wiping is carried out using a cotton swab soaked in a solution, and aerosols should be used for spraying. For preventive purposes, you can wipe the baby’s mouth every day with a soda-based solution or with honey (if there are no allergies).

Prevention of thrush in the child’s oral cavity

There are different ways to overcome thrush. Know that seasoned children often avoid this disease. That is, you need to feed the baby well, properly plan his rest time, and mandatory walks outside. But above all, pay attention to hygiene. If you adhere to all of the above, you will not have to deal with thrush.

• Carry out wet cleaning in your home, wipe your child’s toys, and generally monitor the hygiene of both the environment, objects, and the child himself.
• Change nipples several times throughout the day. Also boil nipples and bottles.
• Don't kiss the baby (even though you really want to do it). This way you can try to prevent thrush from appearing in his mouth. The thing is that Candida fungus quite often visits the oral cavity of adults.
• Make sure that the baby does not injure the oral cavity with the pacifier.
• For prevention purposes, agents are used that help improve the immune system, both local and general. They must force both the body and the oral cavity to defend themselves. In this situation, vitamins of groups B and C will come to the rescue.

How candidiasis (thrush) is transmitted: routes of infection

• Sexual transmission
• Household transmission
• Autoinfection
• Infection of newborns

Doctors call thrush candidiasis. This name is due to the type of fungus that provokes it. Candida is normally always present in small quantities on the skin. Decreased immunity gives impetus to the accelerated growth of their mycelium. The fungus affects the mucous membranes. After this, characteristic symptoms appear in the form of a white coating or discharge, itching and burning. By these signs you can identify thrush.

Candidiasis can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person. This disease has several ways of spreading. The question of how thrush is transmitted always worries women who have discovered its symptoms.

Sexual transmission

Gynecologists are often asked whether thrush is transmitted through sexual intercourse. A woman with an acute form of the disease is contagious. In most cases, thrush is transmitted through unprotected sex. However, it should be remembered that, despite this fact, candidiasis is not a sexually transmitted disease.

Infection of a sexual partner occurs if a woman experiences increased growth of fungus on the mucous membranes of the vagina. The man becomes a carrier of the disease. With regular sexual contact, re-infection will occur. Even long-term therapy will not be effective. To successfully eliminate thrush, both sexual partners must be treated. After oral sex, the risk of infection increases, since the Candida fungus successfully takes root on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.

The male body is not a favorable environment for the development of fungus. This is due to stronger immunity and stable hormonal levels. That is, Candida can be present in the male body without causing pathological processes. In addition, the fungus usually enters the urinary tract in men, and easily leaves it after emptying the bladder. If a man becomes infected with candidiasis, he will notice a characteristic white coating on the penis, swelling, redness, as well as burning and itching. The symptoms of thrush in men are similar to those in women.

The use of barrier methods of contraception will completely protect against sexually transmitted candidiasis. By maintaining the integrity of the condom, the risk of the fungus passing to the partner is reduced to zero. After unprotected sexual intercourse, do not forget about personal hygiene. Thorough washing of the genital organs with water and antiseptic helps reduce the amount of fungus. A weak solution of potassium permanganate can be used as a disinfectant.

A woman who does not have the fungus in her body can become infected from a man who is a carrier of the disease. Thrush does not necessarily appear immediately after sexual intercourse. For a long time, a woman may not experience any symptoms indicating the presence of the disease. Its signs can be noticed under suitable conditions. Fungi can be activated by:

• decreased immunity;
• failure of the endocrine system;
• changes in the acid-base balance in the body;
• poor nutrition;
• stress;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• smoking.

The woman is prescribed complex therapy for the disease. Her partner may limit herself to taking antifungal tablets and treating the genitals with an antiseptic.

In case of active growth of the fungus on the male genitals, special topical anti-thrush remedies should be used. You can choose different ointments or creams.

After completion of treatment, both women and men must undergo a microflora test. Until it is confirmed that both partners are free of the fungus, unprotected sex should be excluded.

Household transmission

Despite the fact that a woman quite often infects her partner during sexual intercourse, this is not the only way to transmit thrush. This disease is transmitted through household contact. This method of spread is associated with the ability of the fungus to survive for a sufficient period of time in the external environment. Candida, like any other fungus, reproduces through spores. They can persist on clothes, hygiene items, and bedding. This makes it possible for it to spread through household means.

There are frequent cases of infection with thrush after visiting the pool. Many people doubt whether thrush is transmitted in this way. Shared showers located in a gym or swimming pool are a source of danger. Fungal spores may remain on the taps. After entering an uninfected body, the fungus can begin to actively reproduce. Soon the woman will discover unpleasant symptoms.

To protect yourself, you should not use other people’s personal hygiene items. Soap, washcloth, towel and other items must be individual. When using other people's products, you can easily become infected.

You should also be careful when visiting public saunas and baths. In case of insufficient disinfection of the premises after previous visitors, some of the spores could remain. This means that the possibility of infection cannot be ruled out. In this case, you should not neglect careful adherence to hygiene rules.

Autoinfection

Thrush is dangerous because it is difficult to get rid of completely. The Candida fungus is constantly present in a woman’s body, including in the intestines. If the rules of personal hygiene are not carefully observed, the fungus from the rectum may enter the woman’s genitals. This can be facilitated not only by irregular showering, but also by wearing synthetic underwear.

In this case, the woman will experience constant relapses of thrush at every favorable opportunity. Treatment with topical agents alone will not be effective; an integrated approach will be required to destroy the fungal mycelium throughout the body.

Infection of newborns

The appearance of thrush in a recently born baby is also possible. It usually affects the mucous membranes of the mouth and appears as a white coating on the roof of the mouth. You can infect your child with candidiasis in several ways:

• The likelihood of intrauterine infection of the fetus with candidiasis is low, but not completely absent. Fungal mycelium is found in amniotic fluid, umbilical cord membranes and placenta. In this case, the child may be born with signs of thrush.
• It is more likely that the child will become infected from the mother during childbirth. If a woman suffers from active thrush, then the chance of transmitting the fungus to the child is close to 70%. This does not depend on the method of delivery. It is for this reason that during pregnancy you should undergo a course of treatment with approved drugs.
• Transmission of thrush to a newborn from the mother is possible in the first year of life. The child’s body has not yet fully formed, the immune system is weak and susceptible. Fungal spores can enter the oral mucosa through mother's breast milk. Infection through hands, towels, and bed linen is possible.

Candidiasis can be transmitted in different ways. Most often this occurs through domestic or sexual contact, after unprotected vaginal or oral contact.

This disease in its advanced form can be dangerous, as the mycelium of the fungus spreads throughout the body. To protect yourself, you need to know how thrush is transmitted. By avoiding factors that provoke the disease and following your doctor’s recommendations, you can minimize the risk of infection.

Pregnancy and thrush: risks, consequences, treatment

Contrary to the popular belief that bearing a child beautifies a woman, this process activates many chronic processes in the body of the expectant mother. Some of them can have a detrimental effect on the health of the unborn baby. For example, a common disease is thrush during pregnancy, how is this pathology dangerous for the fetus? Most often, the expectant mother finds out about her illness already at the antenatal clinic, since most often it is practically asymptomatic. To successfully treat this unpleasant disease, a pregnant woman must clearly understand the features of changes in the vaginal flora.

What causes thrush

It should be noted that the concept of thrush is used in private conversations among patients. This is due to the fact that with this pathology the main symptom is a discharge that looks like sour milk.

Experts call this disease candidiasis, since most cases of infection are caused by pathological fungi of the genus Candida. For a long time, thrush was classified as a sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea or trichomoniasis.

However, recent studies have not confirmed this theory, since pathological fungi were detected during examination in only 8% of men who had sexual contact with sick women. Therefore, candidiasis is considered an exclusively female problem.

Most experts are inclined to believe that the cause of thrush during pregnancy is the entry of a certain number of candida fungi from the woman’s intestines into the vagina. In a normal state, the vaginal microflora copes with this problem, but a pregnant woman has reduced immunity, and most bacteria in the intimate mucosa do not have time to restore their bactericidal functions.

In addition to this main reason, the occurrence of thrush can be caused by the independent use of various hormonal drugs, an excessive amount of carbohydrates in a woman’s daily diet, and nervous strain. Often, such a pathology can be detected in patients with hormonal disorders and diabetes mellitus.

In 75% of cases, candidiasis affects the vagina of a pregnant woman in the last trimester. This condition is associated with an increase in the levels of oxytocin and prolactin in the patient’s blood. However, even in the early stages of gestation, a similar problem may arise.

Main symptoms in a pregnant woman

The external manifestations of the disease directly depend on its form. Most often, candidiasis in pregnant women is asymptomatic, that is, the expectant mother is simply a carrier of pathogenic flora. This condition is usually detected during the first visit to the antenatal clinic and laboratory examination of vaginal smears.

Under the influence of various factors during pregnancy, the process can become acute. Patients note:

• irritation and pain in the external and internal genitalia;
• copious discharge with a specific odor;
• swelling and hyperemia of the labia and vagina.

To establish a diagnosis, in addition to laboratory tests, the colposcopy method is used. The characteristic picture allows for differential diagnosis.

Features of the course of thrush in the expectant mother

Since fungal inflammation of the vagina occurs during pregnancy 2-3 times more often than in ordinary women, a logical question arises: “What is the danger of thrush during pregnancy?”

The biggest problem of this pathology is considered to be the high risk of infection of the baby during childbirth. According to various literature data, the probability of a child becoming infected reaches 70 - 80%. At the same time, ordinary physiological childbirth does not differ in the frequency of fungal infection of the fetus from a cesarean section.

Candidiasis in the child's body is most often limited to the mucous membrane and umbilical cord of the baby, however, in the case of extreme prematurity, candidiasis of the newborn can aggravate the child's condition and even lead to postnatal complications.

As mentioned above, the main cause of thrush in a pregnant woman is constant surges of hormones in the blood, which leads to changes in the vaginal microflora and infection of the woman. The course of the disease is usually wavy. Symptoms of mucosal irritation and foamy discharge can come and go throughout pregnancy with virtually no apparent reason.

Even after a course of therapy, candidiasis can again bother a woman, although in this case we can talk about an unsystematic form of the disease and appear only in tests. In rare cases, when the disease existed in the body of a pregnant woman even before conception, chronic candidiasis develops. This course of the process is difficult to treat and can periodically lead to exacerbations.

Why is thrush dangerous during pregnancy? This disease can pose a threat to the mother and her unborn child, therefore, despite the difficulties in diagnosing and prescribing therapy, candidiasis in pregnant women must be treated.

Treatment of this pathology in a woman during pregnancy

Difficulties in treating thrush in pregnant women arise from the fact that conventional proven drugs cannot be used due to their negative effects on the fetus.

Treatment of fungal diseases of the female genital organs is usually carried out comprehensively. The patient is prescribed oral medications and local specialized medications. This practice is due to the fact that the bulk of pathogenic fungi is located in the intestines, and treatment of candidiasis should begin with the gastrointestinal tract of a pregnant woman.

It is at this point that difficulties arise. Well-known medications for the treatment of thrush such as “Orungal” and “Fluconazole” have been banned during pregnancy for several years, as scientists have proven their ability to cause various malformations in the fetus. In fairly rare cases, when a fungal process threatens the health of the mother and baby, these drugs are used a week before birth under the supervision of laboratory tests.

To avoid this risk, most experts recommend treating thrush in pregnant women with topical medications. The pharmacy chain offers a large number of ointments, creams and suppositories at any price level.

At the beginning of pregnancy, gynecologists give preference to Pimafucin and suppositories with nystatin. For patients in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, Gynofort or Isoconoral are more suitable. Thanks to the successes of leading pharmaceutical campaigns, it was possible to achieve in these drugs a combination of excellent effects on a woman’s fungal flora and complete safety for the unborn child.

In the last week before giving birth, pregnant women with fungal pathology are usually admitted to the pathology department to prepare for this process, where, in addition to other procedures, they treat the woman’s genital tract infection with the drug Terzhinan. This remedy, among other infections, successfully copes with fungi located in the vagina of the expectant mother.

We recommend reading an article about treating thrush during pregnancy with folk remedies. From it you will learn about the causes of the development of the disease, the use of home recipes for the treatment of candidiasis, the effectiveness of baths, wiping, and the possibility of douching.

Thrush is a rather nasty and complex disease that can cause big problems for a woman. In addition to constant irritation in the perineum and difficulties with daily hygiene, this disease interferes with normal sexual life, which often causes neuroses in the fair sex. Candidiasis is especially dangerous during pregnancy, when not only the woman’s health is at stake, but also the well-being of the unborn baby. Thrush must be treated, but during pregnancy you should not self-medicate. The use of any medications by the expectant mother should be constantly monitored by specialists. With the joint efforts of a woman and a doctor, a fungal infection of the vagina during pregnancy will definitely be defeated and will not bring any problems to the unborn baby.

Perhaps everyone who has encountered such an unpleasant disease as candidiasis at least once in their life has wondered: “Is this disease contagious?” The most logical thing to do is ask your doctor. But, unfortunately, this is not always possible, and many are embarrassed to talk about this intimate topic.

Although, undoubtedly, this is one of the key points, in addition to diagnostic methods and treatment methods. To understand this problem, you need to understand what candidiasis is.

• Features of the causative agent of the disease
• Diagnosis and treatment of thrush
• Autoinfection
• Sexual transmission
• Are kisses contagious?

Candidiasis or thrush is an infectious disease caused by a special microorganism, a yeast-like fungus of the Candida family.

Its characteristic feature is the fact that this fungus belongs to the opportunistic microflora, that is, it is constantly present in the human body, existing as if on the border between normality and pathology.

Conventionally, we can say that activated candida signals to us that there is some kind of problem in the immune system. This means that if the immune system copes with its task, then candidiasis will not develop, even if you try to infect it artificially.

And, conversely, in the case when the immune system is weakened, our own fungus can go into the stage of uncontrolled reproduction and lead to disease.

Features of the causative agent of the disease

Fortunately or unfortunately, thrush is one of those diseases whose clinical picture is difficult not to recognize. Women are most susceptible to this disease due to the structural features of the genitourinary tract.

Men also get sick, but much less frequently, and their illness is noticeably milder. What symptoms should alert you first?

In the first place, perhaps, are specific discharges that look like a grayish-white coating at the site of the lesion; often there is a cheesy discharge with a sour odor.

In second place in frequency of occurrence, but not in importance, is itching. It may be constant or occur periodically at approximately the same time (in the afternoon, evening or night).

Diagnosis and treatment of thrush

Ideally, despite such a recognizable clinical picture, laboratory diagnosis is necessary. The most common and accessible method is simple microscopy, in which the material under study is placed on a glass slide and examined under a microscope.

This is followed by the cultural method, which involves inoculating the secretions on a special nutrient medium, followed by identification and determination of sensitivity to antifungal drugs.

The least commonly used method is to isolate the genetic material of the fungus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Undoubtedly, in order to diagnose candidiasis and begin treatment, you need to see a doctor.

Currently, there is a whole group of medications created specifically to combat candida.

These are antibacterial drugs called antifungals. They are synthesized in various dosage forms - tablets, solutions, creams, ointments, suppositories.

After a diagnosis has been made and treatment has been prescribed, a natural question arises about the mechanisms and routes of transmission of thrush. Agree, no one wants to be a source of disease for their loved one.

Partly, it is precisely because of ignorance of this issue that a person suffering from candidiasis is embarrassed by his disease and tries to keep silent about it. All this negatively affects the psychological state of the patient, and can even lead to a neurosis-like state. How is candidiasis transmitted?

The first contact with candida occurs already in the first year of life. In this case, a disease will not necessarily develop; the fungus will simply become part of the child’s microflora. But, if the mother is sick with candidiasis, infection of the child is almost inevitable.

Candidiasis is transmitted from mother to child in several ways:

• antenatally, that is, in the womb before birth. Studies have been conducted that have shown that candida is often found in the membranes of the umbilical cord;
• intranatally, that is, directly during childbirth. Close contact of the mucous membranes of the mother’s vagina and the child’s oral cavity contributes to this. If the mother has not treated thrush before giving birth, infection is inevitable;
• in the first months of the baby's life. The main factor here is the lack of hygiene measures. So, poorly washed mother's hands or nipples after feeding will help transmit thrush.

Thrush can also be transmitted through household contact. The point is that the insidious fungus, due to the peculiarities of its structure, is capable of attaching to various polymer materials and thus “traveling” in the external environment.

What household items are most often exposed to Candida? These are mainly personal hygiene items such as washcloths and sponges, bar soap, sanitary pads and tampons.

Is thrush transmitted through towels? Transmission of the fungus through bedding, towels, and clothing (in particular underwear) is not excluded. Considering Candida’s “love” for high humidity, you can often meet it in a public bath, sauna, or swimming pool.

Autoinfection

As for self-infection, the main role here is played by errors in hygiene measures. This is especially true for women.

The fact is that anatomically the entrance to the vagina is located quite close to the anus. And we know that yeast-like fungus is part of the intestinal microflora.

In this case, if you do not pay due attention to the hygiene of the external genitalia, even the most powerful antifungal drugs will solve the problem only temporarily.

Sexual transmission

Contrary to a fairly widespread belief, the conversation about the sexual transmission of genital thrush can be considered closed - candidiasis is not sexually transmitted.

Research suggests that about half of women with chronic thrush are not sexually active at all; at the same time, treatment of sexual partners of sick women in order to prevent relapse of the disease also does not have an effect.

Given these data, genital candidiasis has been excluded from the list of sexually transmitted infections. But, despite this, sexual intercourse in the midst of candidiasis should be limited and barrier contraceptives (condoms) should be used.

Are kisses contagious?

What about kisses? Is saliva contagious? Is it possible to get thrush if you kiss a sick person?.. The content of the fungus in the saliva of a sick person is insignificant, so saliva cannot be considered infectious.

However, there is a small chance of transmitting thrush through kissing. To do this, one partner must have untreated oral candidiasis, and the other partner must have wounds on the oral mucosa. Agree, this combination is rare.

But not everything is so sad. Following basic rules will help protect yourself and those around you from candidiasis.

If you are in an acute period of illness, it is recommended to avoid saunas, baths, and swimming pools. This will not only prevent the possibility of infection from you, but will also facilitate the course of candidiasis and its treatment.

She graduated from the State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education "Smolensk State Medical Academy" of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation with a degree in Pediatrics, residency in the specialty "Obstetrics and Gynecology". Advanced training under the additional professional training program "Reproductive dysfunction in men and women", State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education "North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov" Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, participant of the scientific and practical seminar "Systemic factors of reproductive health" under the program "Sacredness" motherhood", participant of the master class "Cervix, genital infections, hormones. Features of colposcopy", participant of the regional scientific and practical conference "Current problems of obstetrics and gynecology". She also received training on conducting pre-trip and post-trip medical examinations of vehicle drivers, and conducting a medical examination for intoxication. I work at the Demidov Central Regional Hospital in the Smolensk region. Specialization: outpatient obstetric and gynecological care, emergency care in obstetrics and gynecology.