Oral Candidiasis?

How is it caught? Can it be spread by kissing, drinking or eating off someone who has it?

Candida albicans is the typical culprit causing oral candidiasis. It is a fungus or a yeast that is present in everyones' mouth. It is a normal inhabitant of our mouth. However candida is an opportunistic infection waiting to happen. Its numbers are usually kept in check by the other normal inhabitants of our mouth, bacteria. However when the bacteria are removed say by taking an antibiotic, it gives the fungus a chance to take over and grow. Or if a persons' immune system is compromised for some reason, then Candida can grow. HIV, Radiation therapy, treatment with corticosteroids, old age, diabetes and pregnancy can all give way to Candida. Oral Candidiasis or Thrush is a massive growth of a yeast fungus that is typically present in low numbers in our mouths.
You know you have candidiasis because your mouth, cheeks and tongue will be covered by a white substance that can be wiped off often leaving little red bleeding spots. People often report a slight burning sensation in their mouths.
Thrush is typically easily treated with an antifungal medication such as Nystatin.
Since Candida is a normal inhabitant of everybodys' mouths Oral candidiasis is not contagious unless the person you are kissing is in some way immunocompromised and open to that opportunistic infection.

For more info...I thought this site was pretty good.
http://www.dentalcare.com/soap/intermed/...