What is Candida infection?

Candida is a fungus that is very harmful to human health. It often invades human skin and mucous membranes, and in severe cases can cause internal organ damage. The most common ones are oral Candida infection or Candida vaginitis. When the human immune function decreases, it is easy to be infected. In addition, direct or indirect contact can also easily lead to infection. Once infected, it should be treated in time.

The pathogen of this disease is Candida albicans, which is not only widely present in nature, but can also parasitize on normal human skin, oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, anus and vaginal mucosa without causing disease. It is a typical conditional pathogen.

Candida albicans is the main pathogen of this disease. Under normal circumstances, this fungus is oval in shape, exists in a symbiotic state with the body, and does not cause disease. In addition, there are a few other pathogenic bacteria in the genus Candida, such as Candida krusei, Candida asteroides, Candida tropicalis, etc. The pathogenicity of Candida species is relative. The source of Candida infection can be exogenous, that is, Candidiasis can be contracted by contact with external bacteria.

Candida infections can also be acquired in hospital environments; however, most infections are endogenous, that is, Candida in the oropharynx, digestive tract, vagina, etc. Normal flora turns into pathogenic phase due to changes in internal and external environment and decreased immune function of human body, thus causing infection.

Clinical manifestations

Candida infection has no gender distinction and can affect any age group, including the unborn fetus. The infection can invade almost all tissues and organs in the human body. Involvement of multiple systems or organs results in disseminated candidiasis, including candidal bloodstream infection.

For example, for the treatment of oral, vulvar, and vaginal Candida albicans infections: for mild cases, local treatment is the main treatment, while for severe cases, systemic treatment should be considered. Oral infections are usually treated with a 2% to 4% carbonic acid (baking soda) solution as a mouthwash, gentian violet application, or chlorhexidine application. In addition to flushing and gargling, antifungal topical medications are given, such as nystatin emulsion, miconazole powder, and miconazole cream. The course of treatment is generally 7 to 10 days.