Signs & Symptoms of Untreated Thrush

Candida albicans is the fungus responsible for thrush and yeast infections in adults and children. The condition is easily treated, but thrush may become complicated if immune system problems also are present. Those who are more likely to develop thrush include babies, denture-wearers, the elderly and people in poor health, particularly those with immune system disorders such as HIV and those undergoing chemotherapy, according to PennState Hershey.

Lesions

• Lesions often appear in the mouths of patients with thrush. The lesions may be milky white and occur on the roof of the mouth, tongue, inner cheeks and gums. In some patients the lesions may look like cottage cheese. An infant with a uniformly white tongue may not have thrush; milk diets often result in white tongues, according to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

Loss of Taste

• Adult patients with untreated thrush may lose their sense of taste, according to the Mayo Clinic. The loss of taste is temporary and will return when the condition is treated and the yeast is eliminated. The loss occurs when the lesions cover the taste buds.

Bleeding

• The lesions may bleed if they are rubbed or scraped. The bleeding is not usually severe, and not every case of thrush will result in bleeding lesions.

Pain

• There may be pain in the mouth or throat when thrush is not treated. Thrush that is not treated may cause throat pain as the yeast infection spreads in the mouth and down the throat.

Esophagitis

• Esophagitis is a condition that develops when thrush is not treated and allowed to spread down the throat. This condition makes it difficult to swallow. The lesions may make it feel as though something is caught in the throat.

Irritability

• Babies with thrush may be irritable and fussy. Babies cannot express the pain and difficulty in swallowing when thrush is left untreated and causes throat problems.