The different between thrush and candidiasis?

Candidiasis refers to infection with the fungal organism Candida albicans, which is a type of yeast. Candida is a ubiquitous organism and Candida fungal infections can occur in several parts of the body including skin, mucus membranes (tongue, vagina), gastrointestinal tract (e.g. esophagus), respiratory tract (e.g. bronchi), etc. Commonly, the infection is mild and restricted to moist/macerated areas of skin or mucus membranes such as vaginal walls or groin and causes local inflammation, redness, itching, and a cheesy white discharge. However, In more rare instances, the infection can become systemic (involve the bloodstream) which will cause Candida sepsis and endocarditis (infection of the heart).

The term "thrush" is used when referring to Candidal infection of skin and more specifically mucus membranes. Oral thrush and vaginal thrush, for example, are fungal infections of the mouth and vaginal tract ("the well-known yeast infection"), respectively. This is in contrast to candidal infection of the esophagus, for example, which would be called "Candida esophagitis."

In an outpatient setting, risk factors for Candida infection include being female, on oral contraceptive medications, chronic antibiotics, or diabetes. In the hospital setting, Candidiasis is more commonly seen in immunocompromised patients; that is, organ transplant patients on immunosuppressive medication, HIV/AIDS patients, those on chronic steroid or antibiotic treatment, as well as patients with diabetes.

Definitive diagnosis of Candidiasis can easily be made by visualizing the fungus under the microscope.

Treatment invovles antifungal medications which are available in a variety of forms ranging from oral medications to creams and ointments as well as intravenous anti-fungals for serious in-hospital infections.

Dr. Trojan, MD Candidate 2007
Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California

There's the same thing.

Thrush is simply candidiasis in the oral cavity, just as athletes foot is candidiasis expressed on the feet, just as diaper rash is candidiasis around the anus and genitals, just as jock itch is cadidiasis expressed around the genitals and just as a vaginal yeast infection is candidiasis expressed in the vagina.

Candidiasis is generally a systemic infection, expressed as above and in may other ways as well. For more information, check you local library and read anything written on the subject of candidiasis (AKA yeast infections) by Dr William G Crook, MD.

Dr Trojan's response is correct, as far as it goes. But he's forgotten the direct link between the use of antibiotics, birth control pills, pregnancies, etc and candidiasis, and he's forgotten or hasn't recognized that candidiasis is more widespread than is generally accepted in the more traditional medical community. An MD who practises holistically would give a more inclusive answer.