Immune Compromised
Every bit of food he swallowed burned the whole way down. Finally, he went to his doctor, who took one look at the white coating in his mouth and asked, "Have you ever been tested for HIV?"
Intro
Candida, a yeast that is found virtually everywhere, rarely causes problems beyond the occasional skin rash. In people with HIV, diabetes or other weakened immune conditions, however, candidiasis causes a serious opportunistic infection.
What is it?
Candidiasis is an opportunistic infection caused by the common Candida yeast. This condition is known as thrush when it affects your mouth, and vaginitis when it affects your vagina. Normally, your immune system keeps candidiasis at bay, but in people with weakened immune systems, the yeast multiplies too quickly and develops into a harmful infection. Because the offending yeast lives in or on most everyone's bodies, there is no way to avoid it.
You can identify thrush by its trademark red spots or white patches that resemble cottage cheese. Symptoms of vaginitis include burning, itching and a whitish, thick vaginal discharge. Candida yeast can also grow in the folds of your skin, particularly in your groin, buttocks, and under your arms and breasts.
Symptoms
Thrush is candidiasis in your mouth. Symptoms include red spots or white patches that look like cottage cheese. You may experience sore throat, pain when swallowing, nausea and loss of appetite. When the infection spreads past your throat, it's known as esophagitis.
Vaginitis is candidiasis in the vagina. Symptoms include burning, itching and a thick, whitish discharge.
Candidiasis in your skins folds is red, itchy and it burns. You'll notice a sharp contrast between the redness and your regular skin color.
Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose candidiasis by observing the signs of the disease, culturing the yeast and drawing your blood to measure the strength of your immune system.
How is it acquired?
Candidiasis is caused by the common Candida yeast found in or on your body and in the environment. Your trouble begins when your immune system, weakened by HIV or another disease, can no longer keep the yeast at bay.
How to treat it?
Your doctor can treat candidiasis locally (using creams and liquids applied directly to the infected area) or systematically (with pills or intravenous medications). Typically, doctors prefer to try local treatments first to avoid side effects (including nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain) that can occur with systematic treatments.
Local anti-fungal treatments include skin creams, lozenges and liquids, as well as suppositories and creams that can be inserted into your vagina. Systemic drugs include Nizoral (ketoconazole), Diflucan (fluconazole) or Sporanox (itraconazole).
Because candidiasis can recur, your doctor may keep you on anti-fungal medication. The only drawback is that the yeast can become resistant to the drugs, rendering them ineffective for future treatment.
If these medicines don't clear up your infection, your doctor may prescribe amphotericin B, a potent, toxic drug that is given intravenously when other drugs and therapies have failed. Side effects include kidney problems, fever, chills, nausea, anemia, vomiting and headache. The severity of these symptoms usually lessens after the first few doses.
Normally, the good bacteria in your body help keep candidiasis in check. If you're prescribed antibiotics, it's important to remember that they kill the bad bacteria as well as the good. The elimination of too many good bacteria can cause an outbreak of candidiasis. Ask your doctor about replenishing your good bacteria with acidophilus, found in yogurt.
Some people with candidiasis prefer to use natural, non-drug therapies to treat their condition, even though there's no scientific proof that they work. Among the favorites: reducing your sugar intake, eating garlic, gargling with a mixture of water and tea tree oil and taking vitamin B.
Myths dispelled Immune Compromised
Here are some facts to clear up some common misconceptions.
While it's true that candidiasis in your mouth or throat often means you have HIV, there are many other causes. Likewise, a vaginal yeast infection doesn't necessarily mean you have HIV. (Perhaps one of the most common causes of vaginal yeast infections is prior antibiotic you take to balance out your vagina's natural flora).
Prevention
To prevent candidiasis, your doctor can prescribe the same medications used for treatment. Most doctors don't do this, however, because the yeast can develop a resistance to the drugs. Your doctor might also advise against preventative measures because candidiasis is rarely dangerous and easily treated.
Of particular concern to Immune Compromised Women
Candidiasis is an opportunistic infection that affects people with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV. Diabetics and transplant patients are also at risk.
Prevalence
Candidiasis is caused by candida yeast, which is found in or on most everyone's bodies, as well as in our environment. It can become a serious problem if you have a weakened immune system; even if you don't, candidiasis can still infect you, especially if you're diabetic. Women often get vaginal yeast infections after taking a course of antibiotics, which kill the bacteria that normally keeps yeast in check.
Complications Immune Compromised
Dangerous complications associated with candidiasis are rare, but they can occur if your immune system is severely weakened or if the yeast is resistant to medication.