Candidosis Causes Symptoms Diagnosis and Treatment

What is Candidiasis?

Candidosis (candidiasis or Vaginal yeast infection) is a common gynecological infection affecting nearly three-quarters of all women, it is caused by Candida (a fungus) and characterized by irritation, itching, swelling, and a whitish vaginal discharge due to an overgrowth of Candida in the vagina.

How many types of candida cause infection?

There are more than 20 types of Candida that can cause infection.

What causes candida overgrowth in the body and how do you get candida?

Candida is a resident pathogen in the human body, in norm, its growth is controlled by the immune system, but when the immune system is weakened or compromised for a reason or another especially when body is exposed to new pathogens, candida overgrowth is observed, causing symptoms of infection.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of candida infection?

Candidosis have a common set of symptoms, such as:

1. Odorless vaginal discharge, vaginal discharge varies in amount and ranges in color from colorless to white.
2. Reddish vulva
3. Low grade fever
4. Vaginal itching.
5. Swelling around the vagina.
6. Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse).
7. Discomfort and burning during urination
8. Rash
9. Soreness
10. Fungal infections of the skin and nail (such as athlete’s foot or toenail fungus).
11. Chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.
12. Digestive problems such as constipation, bloating, or diarrhea.

How do you know if you have a candida infection?

1. Itching in the vaginal area and around the opening of the vagina (vulva)
2. When there is rubbing or penetration the vaginal discharge transforms into a whitish cream.
3. Swelling of the vulva.
4. Low grade fever

How to test for candida at home?

The spit test for candida – Candida Saliva Test

On an empty stomach in the morning, and before you brush your teeth, fill a glass with some water at room temperature.

Put some water in your mouth, briefly gargle and rinse your mouth to gather some saliva, and spit into the glass.

Check the cup once every 15 minutes for the next hour and look for some of these tell-tale signs of Candida infection:

1. Legs or strings coming down from saliva (whether the spit sinks as legs) because the aerated saliva is lighter than water whereas candida is heavier than saliva.
2. Cloudy saliva that settle at the bottom of the glass (spit falls to the bottom),
3. Suspended cloudy specks of saliva in the water

Causes

What is the cause of candida infection?

A compromised immune system (immunodeficiency or immune deficiency) is the main cause behind candida infection.

Treatment

How do you get rid of Candida?

1. Immunal (two drops in a cup of water [150ml], three times per day, preferably on an empty stomach, 30min before eating, for two weeks)
2. Vitamin C supplements
3. Drinking plenty of fluids (water)
4. Multivitamins and mineral supplements

Next steps management

How to diagnose candida infection?

1. Clinical interview
2. Vaginal inspection
3. Culture of the discharged liquid to identify the causative agent
4. Blood biochemistry test

Verified by: Dr.Diab (October 8, 2017)

Citation: Dr.Diab. (October 8, 2017). Candidosis Causes Symptoms Diagnosis and Treatment. Medcoi Journal of Medicine, 9(2). urn:medcoi:article15757.