Oral Thrush in Newborns – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Oral thrush is an infection caused by the yeast fungus known as Candida albicans and is a common illness in newborn babies. The fungus is also referred to as candidosis and moniliasis, but generally these terms describe the appearance of candida albicans in adults. This article will focus on the causes and symptoms of oral thrush in newborns as well as methods of treatment.
It may be helpful to first understand some background information on exactly what oral thrush is. Microorganisms exist everywhere in our environment and usually bacteria, viruses and fungi form a symbiotic relationship with the human body. These microorganisms are beneficial to the health of babies and adults alike and the body allows them to remain present. The fungus that causes oral thrush does not have a symbiotic relationship with the human body. Candida albicans usually works its way into the body when the immune system is in a diseased or weakened state. In their first few days of life, newborn babies are especially at risk from infections such as oral thrush.
Related posts
Yeast Infection – Treating Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is the occurrence of white lesions inside the mouth including the tongue, inner cheeks and throat. The lesions may cause pains and difficulty swallowing. If not treated the infection may spread down to your esophagus causing more serious health issues. Before it becomes a chronic problem, you need to know the effective ways of treating oral thrush.
Oral thrush is one of the most common yeast infections suffered by most people. The Candida fungus which is normally present in our body is responsible for the occurrence of the infection. The fungus thrives in wet warm areas of the body like the mouth or oral cavity. When the balance around the oral cavity environment is disturbed, the fungus grows faster causing oral yeast infection. Treating oral thrush as early as possible is important to avoid other health concerns.