What’s a yeast infection?
How do you know if you have one?
I over heard some girls at school talking about them, quite gross if i may say so myself.. anyways, what is it? how do you know if you have one? I usually have discharge every month for about a couple of days and then i get my period after a couple of days, it happens every month, and i have to wear a pad so i wont feel icky, it doesn’t stink, but it smells weird a bit, is that a yeast infection, it’s like white color..
Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)
Yeast Infection Overview
Candidiasis is an infection caused by a group of microscopic fungi or yeast. There are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida albicans. These fungi live on all surfaces of our bodies. Under certain conditions, they can become so numerous they cause infections, particularly in warm and moist areas. Examples of such infections are vaginal yeast infections, thrush, skin and diaper rash, and nailbed infections.
* Candidal infections commonly occur in warm moist body areas, such as underarms. Usually your skin effectively blocks yeast, but any breakdown or cuts in the skin may allow this organism to penetrate.
* Typical affected areas in babies include the mouth and diaper areas.
* In adults, oral yeast infections become more common with increased age. Adults also can have yeast infections around dentures, under the breast and lower abdomen, nailbeds, and beneath other skin folds. Most of these candidal infections are superficial and clear up easily with treatment.
* Rarely, the yeast infection may spread throughout the body. In systemic candidal disease, up to 75% of people may die. Even common mouth and vaginal yeast infections can cause critical illness and can be more resistant to normal treatment.
* Yeast infections that return may be a sign of more serious diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, or AIDS.
Yeast Infection Causes
In women, yeast infections are the second most common reason for vaginal burning, itching, and discharge. Yeasts are found in the vagina of most women and can overgrow if the environment in the vagina changes. Antibiotic and steroid use is the most common reason for yeast overgrowth. But pregnancy, menstruation, sperm, diabetes, and birth control pills also can contribute to getting a yeast infection. Yeast infections are more common after menopause.
* In people who have a weakened immune system because of cancer treatments, steroids, or diseases such as AIDS, candidal infections can occur throughout the entire body and can be life-threatening. The blood, brain, eye, kidney, and heart are most frequently affected, but the candidal fungus also can grow in the lungs, liver, and spleen. Candida is the leading cause of esophagitis (inflammation in the throat) in people with AIDS.
* Almost 15% of people with weakened immune systems develop a systemic illness caused by Candida. These infections enter into the bloodstream through breakdowns or cuts in the skin or mucous membranes. Candidal organisms may build up in an area because of frequent use of strong antibiotics, which kill the bacteria that normally keep it under control.
* Use of devices implanted in the skin such as urinary catheters and IV ports also provide access for the yeast to enter the body. IV drug addicts using dirty needles may inject the yeast directly into their bloodstream or deep tissues.
Yeast Infection Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a candidal infection can vary depending on the location of the infection.
* In women, signs and symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are a white cheesy discharge that typically itches and irritates the vagina and surrounding outer tissues. On occasion there may be pain with sexual intercourse or burning with urination.
* In infants and adults, a candidal infection can appear many different ways.
o Oral candidiasis is called thrush. Thick, white lacy patches on top of a red base can form on the tongue, palate, or elsewhere inside the mouth. These patches sometimes look like milk curds but cannot be wiped away as easily as milk can. If the white plaques are wiped away with a blade or cotton-tipped applicator, the underlying tissue may bleed. This infection also may make the tongue look red without the white coating. Thrush can be painful and make it difficult to eat. Care should be given to make sure a person with thrush does not become dehydrated.
o Candidal organisms naturally live on the skin, but breakdown of the outer layers of skin promote the yeast’s overgrowth. This typically occurs when the environment is warm and moist such as in diaper areas and skin folds. Superficial candidal skin infections appear as a red flat rash with sharp scalloped edges. There are usually smaller patches of similar appearing rash nearby, known as “satellite lesions.” These rashes may cause itching or pain.
* In people with weakened immune systems, candidal infections can affect various internal organs and cause pain or dysfunction of the organ. Approximately 85% of people with AIDS contract a yeast infection called esophagitis in their upper gastrointestinal (GI) systems. This infection is similar to thrush but extends down the mouth and esophagus to the stomach. Candida esophagitis can cause painful ulcers throughout the GI system, making it too painful to swallow even liquids. If the infection spreads into the intestines, food may be poorly absorbed. People with this condition are in danger of becoming dehydrated.
* If Candida gets into your bloodstream, you may become sick with or without fever. If the infection spreads to your brain, you may have acute changes in mental function or behavior.
When to Seek Medical Care
When to go call the doctor
For healthy children and adults, if you try a medication and it fails or symptoms worsen, then consult your doctor. All people with weakened immune systems should contact their doctors with any new symptoms or infections.
* Various conditions can cause nonmenstrual vaginal discharge in women, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis.
o If vaginal discharge lasts for more than 1 week, consult your doctor.
o If yeast infections recur, see your doctor for a more thorough work-up. Candidiasis that comes back may be a symptom of a hidden disease such as diabetes, leukemia, or AIDS.
o Other symptoms such as bloody discharge, abdominal pain, fever, and increased urination also can indicate more serious problems, and you should seek medical help.
* Oral thrush needs a prescription medication and a quick visit to the doctor. If children take no fluids for longer than 12 hours, contact your doctor for possible IV fluid replacement. Any fever or prolonged problems with feeding also warrant a visit to a doctor.
* Diaper rash or other candidal infections on the skin can be treated with over-the-counter nystatin powders (Mycostatin, Nilstat, Nystat-Rx, Nystex, O-V Staticin) or antifungal creams and lotions.
o If the rash worsens at any time, or if the lesions do not clear in 1-2 weeks, call your doctor.
o Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or the rash spreading to other parts of your body may be a sign of a more serious illness.
* People with weakened immune systems must take all forms of candidiasis seriously and treat them aggressively. The infection may indicate that your immune system is functioning poorly. Your doctor should evaluate any symptoms of candidal infections.
o If you already are being treated for a candidal infection and the symptoms worsen or do not improve, notify your doctor.
o Fevers, chills, vomiting, general illness, or worsening rash needs to be investigated promptly.
Check Web MD for the other 3 pages on this medical condition.
A yeast infection typically produces a thick discharge that is white with a consistency similar to cottage cheese. You may also feel raw, sore, and itchy and may feel uncomfortable urinating.
Any discharge that is a milky white, or whitish clear is normal. That usually means you are ovulating and at your most fertile period. Clear discharge just means your vagina is cleaning itself out. You may have a slight white colored discharge right before your period which is normal.
If it isn’t thick or lumpy looking it’s fine.
Its where you eat too much bread, and the yeast comes out of your xxxxx
I had one one before. A yeast infection is the time when the Yeast is infected by some fungus. Usually the signs of a Yeast infection is….
.Itchy Vagina
.Yellow or greenish discharge
.Smelly Discharge (Like the smell of cottage cheese)
.frequently getting discharge
and that’s all i remember
You usually get them if you where tight pants a lot, and not wearing 100% cotton underwear. Also wearing a lot of thongs or things similar to that.
If you want to avoid getting a yest infection try to keep your clothes clean,and always wear clean clothes. Also Wipe your vagina to anus first, if you wipe in the other way then your vagina will get dirty,and yeah. Also try not to wear too much tight pants.
Yeast infection could be cured. But you have to go to the doctor in order you you to know if it is a yeast infection.