What is Yeast Infection?
Is a common fungal infection that
occurs when there is overgrowth of the fungus called Candida. Candida is always
present in the body in small amounts. However, when an imbalance occurs, such
as when the normal acidity of the vagina changes or when hormonal balance
changes, Candida can multiply. When that happens, symptoms appear.
What are the symptoms of
Yeast Infection?
Women with Yeast infection usually
experience genital itching or burning, with or without a "cottage
cheese-like" vaginal discharge. Males with Yeast infection may experience
an itchy rash on the penis.. Rarely, Yeast infection can be passed from person
to person, such as through sexual intercourse.
How is Yeast infection
transmitted?
Nearly 75% of all adult women have had
at least one genital "yeast infection" in their lifetime. On rare
occasions, men may also experience Yeast infection. Yeast infection occurs more
frequently and more severely in people with weakened immune systems. There are
some other conditions that may put a woman at risk for Yeast infection
Pregnancy
• Diabetes
mellitus
• Use
of broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Use
of corticosteroid medications
How is Yeast infection
diagnosed?
The symptoms of Yeast infection are
similar to those of many other genital infections. Usually the diagnosis is
made by taking a sample of the vaginal secretions and looking at it under a
microscope to see if Candida organisms are present.
How is Yeast infection
treated?
Several antifungal drugs are available
to treat Yeast infection. Antifungal vaginal suppositories or creams are
commonly used. The duration of the treatment course of suppositories and creams
ranges from single dose therapy to 7 days of therapy. Uncomplicated Yeast
infection may also be treated with single-dose of diflucan. Diflucans should be
avoided in pregnancy. These drugs usually work to cure the infection (80%-90%
success rate), but some people will have recurrent or resistant infections.
Short-course treatments should be avoided in recurrent or resistant infection.
What is the difference
between the 3-day treatments and the 7 day treatments for Yeast Infection?
The only difference between these is
the length of treatment. Three-day and 7-day treatments may both be effective.
Are over-the-counter (OTC)
treatments for Yeast infection safe to use?
Over-the-counter treatments for Yeast
infection are available. As a result, more women are diagnosing themselves with
Yeast infection and using one of a family of drugs called "azoles" for
therapy. However, misdiagnosis is common, and studies have shown that as many
as two-thirds of all OTC drugs sold to treat Yeast infection were used by women
without the disease. Using these drugs when they are not needed may lead to a
resistant infection. Resistant infections are very difficult to treat with the
currently available medications for Yeast infection.
Can Yeast infection become
resistant to treatment?
Overuse of these antifungal
medications can increase the chance that they will eventually not work (the
fungus develops resistance to medications). Therefore, it is important to be
sure of the diagnosis before treating with over-the-counter or other antifungal
medications.
What will happen if a person does not
seek treatment for Yeast Infection?
Symptoms, which may be very
uncomfortable, may persist. There is a chance that the infection may be passed
between sex partners.
How can someone tell the
difference between Yeast infection and a urinary tract infection?
Because yeast infections and urinary tract infections
share similar symptoms, such as a burning sensation when urinating, it is
important to see a doctor and obtain laboratory testing to determine the cause
of the symptoms and to treat effectively.
CDC
