ThrushSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Thrush
Thrush is a yeast infection of the tongue and lining of the mouth.
Candidiasis - oral; Oral thrush; Fungal infection - mouth; Candida - oral
Certain germs normally live in our bodies. These include bacteria and fungi. While most germs are harmless, some can cause infection under certain conditions.
Thrush occurs in children and adults when conditions permit too much growth of a fungus called Candida in your mouth. A small amount of this fungus normally lives in your mouth. It is most often kept in check by your immune system and other germs that also live in your mouth.
When your immune system is weak or when normal bacteria die, too much of the fungus can overgrow and cause thrush.
You are more likely to get thrush if you have one of the following:
- You are in poor health.
- You are very old. Young babies are also more likely to develop thrush.
- You have HIV or AIDS.
- You are receiving chemotherapy or medicines that weaken the immune system.
- You are taking steroid medicine, including some inhalers for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- You have diabetes mellitus and your blood sugar is high.
- You take antibiotics. Antibiotics kill some of the healthy bacteria that prevent Candida from growing too much.
- Your dentures do not fit well.
Candida can also cause yeast infections in the vagina.
Thrush in newborns is somewhat common and easy to treat.
Symptoms of thrush include:
- White, velvety sores in the mouth and on the tongue
- Some bleeding when you brush your teeth or scrape the sores
- Pain when swallowing
If you get mild thrush after taking antibiotics, eat yogurt or take over-the-counter acidophilus pills. This may help restore a healthy balance of germs in your mouth.
For a more severe case of thrush, your provider may prescribe:
- Antifungal mouthwash (nystatin).
- Lozenges (clotrimazole).
- Antifungal medicines taken as a pill or syrup, these medicines include fluconazole (Diflucan) or itraconazole (Sporanox).
Jefferson OB/GYN – Center City
Paul Nyirjesy is an Obstetrics and Gynecologist practicing medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Nyirjesy is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thrush. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Vaginal Yeast Infection, Vulvovaginitis, Thrush, and Vulvodynia. Dr. Nyirjesy is board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Valley Forge Ear, Nose & Throat
Larry Feiner is an Otolaryngologist practicing medicine in Limerick, Pennsylvania. Dr. Feiner is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thrush. He is also highly rated in 63 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Infant Hearing Loss, DFNB1, Jones Syndrome, and Nasal Polyps. Dr. Feiner is board certified in American Board Of Otolaryngology.
Julian Naglik practices practicing medicine in London, United Kingdom. Mr. Naglik is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Thrush. He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Thrush, Vaginal Yeast Infection, Vulvovaginitis, and Cervicitis.
Oral thrush can be cured. However, if your immune system is weak, thrush may come back or cause more serious problems.
If your immune system is weakened, Candida can spread throughout your body, causing a serious infection.
This infection might affect your:
- Brain (meningitis)
- Esophagus (esophagitis)
- Eyes (endophthalmitis)
- Heart (endocarditis)
- Joints (arthritis)
Contact your provider if:
- You have thrush-like sores.
- You have pain or difficulty swallowing.
- You have symptoms of thrush and you are HIV positive, receiving chemotherapy, or you take medicines to suppress your immune system.
If you get thrush often, your provider may recommend taking antifungal medicine on a regular basis to keep thrush from coming back.
If you have diabetes mellitus, you can help prevent thrush by keeping good control of your blood sugar levels.
Summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if pHyph works to reduce signs and symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush). It will also learn about the safety of pHyph. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does pHyph reduce the signs and symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis after an initial 6 day daily treatment? * Does an additional 6 day treatment course after the initial one further r...
Summary: The overall objective of this study is to investigate the association of early Candida infection (known as oral thrush or oropharyngeal candidiasis, OPC) in children during the first year of life with the onset and severity of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC).
Published Date: August 05, 2025
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Ericson JE, Benjamin DK. Candida. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 280.
Jordan RC. Diseases of the mouth and salivary glands. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 393.
Lionakis MS, Edwards JE. Candida species. In: Blaser MJ, Cohen JI, Holland SM, et al, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 262.