Final answer:
Oral thrush, primarily caused by the fungus Candida albicans, manifests as white patches in the mouth and can lead to bleeding and difficulty swallowing. Treatments range from topical antifungals to more potent systemic medications in severe cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is a condition where the fungus Candida albicans overgrows in the mouth and throat. Key signs and symptoms of oral thrush include:
- White patches and pseudomembranes on the tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils, or back of the throat.
- Difficulty swallowing and pain might be present if the infection spreads to the esophagus.
- Bleeding may occur if the white lesions are scraped.
- A feeling of cotton or loss of taste.
- Redness or soreness that may be enough to cause difficulty eating or swallowing.
- Treatments for oral thrush can include topical antifungals such as nystatin or clotrimazole. In more severe cases, or when resistant to topical treatments, systemic antifungals like fluconazole, itraconazole, or amphotericin B are used.
Oral thrush is more common in infants, immunocompromised individuals, or patients with AIDS due to their less developed or impaired immune systems.