Oral thrush

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of thrush relies on determining its location and identifying any potential underlying causes.

Diagnosis of thrush limited to the mouth

Your doctor or dentist could:

• Inspect your mouth to check for lesions.
• Scrabble a tiny portion of the lesions to look at them under a microscope.
• If necessary, perform a physical examination and specific blood tests to see whether there is any underlying illness that might be the source of oral thrush.

Esophageal oral thrush diagnosis

Your doctor might suggest some or all of the following to help diagnose thrush in your esophagus:

• Physical assessment. In order to rule out any underlying medical conditions that might be the source of the thrush in the esophagus, a physical examination and certain blood tests may be carried out if needed.
• Biopsy. To identify any potential bacteria or fungi causing your symptoms, the tissue sample is cultured on a specialized medium. Additionally, a sterile cotton swab is used to collect a sample from the back of your throat, which is then examined under a microscope to study the microorganisms present.
• Endoscopy. During this operation, your doctor uses an endoscope, a lighted, flexible tube with a camera at the tip, to examine your esophagus, stomach, and upper section of your small intestine (duodenum).

Treatment

Any oral thrush treatment should aim to slow the fungus’s spread, but the ideal strategy may vary depending on your age, general health, and the source of the infection. When possible, removing the underlying causes can stop a recurrence.

• Healthy adults and children.  Antifungal medications such as nystatin are commonly prescribed by healthcare providers to treat thrush in both healthy adults and children. These medicines are available in various forms, including tablets, lozenges, or liquids that are swirled around the mouth and then swallowed. Typically, the recommended duration of treatment with these medications is 10 to 14 days.
• Infants and nursing mothers.  If a breastfeeding mother’s infant develops oral thrush, there is a potential for both the mother and baby to pass the infection back and forth. In such situations, a doctor may prescribe a mild antifungal medication for the baby and an antifungal cream for the mother’s breasts.
• Adults with weakened immune systems. Your doctor will probably advise taking an antifungal drug.

If the underlying cause of thrush, such as insufficiently disinfected dentures or the use of inhaled steroids, is not addressed, there is a possibility of its recurrence even after treatment.