How to Diagnose Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection resulting from an overgrowth of any yeast of the Candida genus. Candida albicans is responsible for 70 to 80 percent of the infections; Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is a form of the infection that affects the mouth. It is commonly known as thrush. The following steps demonstrate how to diagnose the different forms of OPC.

Instructions

• 1

  Realize that candida is a normal part of the mouth flora and can be found in 25 to 50 percent of the healthy population. It produces symptoms only when there is a change in the environment of the mouth or throat, such as glucose level, salivary flow and salivary pH.

• 2

  Look in the mouth for white elevated patches on a base that bleeds when the plaques are removed. The patient may complain of a burning or dry tongue, mouth pain and taste changes. This form of OPC is called pseudomembranous OPC. Pain on swallowing suggests an extension to esophageal candidiasis.

• 3

  Find diffuse redness of the palate and surface of the tongue to diagnose erythematous or atrophic OPC. Some patients may not have any complaints at all; others may report a burning sensation or metallic taste.

• 4

  Expect denture wearers to be especially prone to erythematous OPC. In this case, the condition is referred to as denture-induced stomatitis, or denture sore mouth.

• 5

  Observe an inflammation at the corners of the mouth in cases of angular chellitis, also known as perleche. Fissuring also may be present and patients usually will complain of pain or burning, local soreness and tenderness.