Topic Overview

• Topic Overview
• Cause
• Symptoms
• What Happens
• Risk
• Exams and Tests
• Treatment Overview
• Prevention
• Home Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery
• Other Treatment

Thrush is an infection that develops in the mouth and throat and on the tongue. Thrush occurs when a fungus called candida grows out of control. Candida normally is present in small amounts in the mouth and on other mucous membranes. However, under certain circumstances, candida can grow rapidly, causing thrush. Thrush is also called oropharyngeal candidiasis, or OPC.

Thrush  looks like white patches of cottage cheese or milk curds on the tongue or other surfaces in the mouth. In infants, thrush is often mistaken for milk or formula. The patches adhere to the tongue and mouth and cannot be easily wiped away. However, with scraping or rubbing (during brushing, for example), the patches may come off. The tissue around and under the white patches may be red and raw-looking and may bleed. If thrush becomes severe, it can extend into the throat, causing pain and difficulty swallowing.

Thrush is most common in newborns, infants, and older adults, but it can occur at any age. In healthy newborns and infants, thrush is usually not a serious problem and is easily treated and cured. Babies with thrush in their throats may stop eating, which can lead to weight loss and poor nutrition.

Thrush can be a recurring problem for people who have chronic illnesses or who take medications that impair the body's ability to fight infection (weakened immune system). Since these people have a hard time fighting infections, the fungus that causes thrush can spread throughout the body, causing life-threatening blood or organ infections.