Thrush - meaning and definition
Alsoyeast infectioncandidiasisvaginal thrushvaginal yeast infectioncandidafungal infection
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
Thrush is a common yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida fungi, leading to itching, soreness and sometimes thick white discharge. It can affect the vulva and vagina or the penis.
At a glance
- Thrush is a yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida fungi.
- It can affect the vulva and vagina or the penis, causing itching, soreness and sometimes thick white discharge.
- Candida lives harmlessly on many people; thrush happens when conditions let it multiply.
- Triggers include antibiotics, pregnancy, poorly controlled diabetes and a weakened immune system.
- It is not considered an STI, though sex can sometimes trigger symptoms.
In detail
Candida lives harmlessly on many people's skin and in the vagina. Thrush happens when conditions let it multiply, for example after antibiotics, during pregnancy, with poorly controlled diabetes or a weakened immune system. It is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, though sex can sometimes trigger symptoms.
Thrush is usually treated with antifungal creams, pessaries or tablets, some available from pharmacies. People who get it often, who are pregnant, or whose symptoms do not improve should see a doctor, because other infections can look similar.
In a sentence
- After a course of antibiotics she got thrush and bought a cream from the pharmacy.
- The pharmacist suggested seeing a doctor because it was her third bout of thrush this year.
Not to be confused with
- Bacterial vaginosis
BV is a bacterial imbalance that typically causes a fishy smell rather than itching.
Common questions
Is thrush a sexually transmitted infection?
No. Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of Candida, which lives harmlessly on many people's skin and in the vagina. Sex can sometimes trigger symptoms, but it is not classed as an STI.
When should I see a doctor about thrush?
If you get thrush often, are pregnant, or your symptoms do not improve with treatment, see a doctor or sexual health clinic. Other infections can look similar, so testing helps make sure you get the right treatment.