Final answer:
For an AIDS patient with oral thrush, initial treatment usually involves topical antifungal medications. If necessary, systemic treatments with fluconazole, itraconazole or amphotericin B may follow, accompanied by optimization of ART.
Step-by-step explanation:
For an AIDS patient with oral thrush and dysphagia, the next step after identifying the presence of Candida albicans would typically be the administration of antifungal medication. Initially, topical treatments such as nystatin or clotrimazole oral suspensions are used. If the infection is serious, or if the topical treatment is ineffective, then systemic antifungal agents like fluconazole or itraconazole can be employed. For fluconazole-resistant strains or in cases of severe infection, amphotericin B may be used. Concurrently, the patient's antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be assessed and optimized to ensure the immune system is supported adequately to help fight off infections.