Immune system works to repel harmful invading organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, while maintaining a balance between "good" and "bad" microbes that normally inhabit your body. But sometimes these protective mechanisms fail, increasing the number of candida fungi and allowing an oral thrush infection to take hold,
An overgrowth of the Candida fungus in the
mouth or throat is what causes thrush. This overgrowth may be triggered to
occur when the person experiences changes such as illness, pregnancy, new
medications, or changes in the immune system.
Following These diseases and conditions may
make you more susceptible to oral thrush infection:
1.
HIV/AIDS.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — the virus that causes AIDS — damages or
destroys cells of your immune system, making you more susceptible to
opportunistic infections that your body would normally resist. Repeated bouts
of oral thrush, along with other symptoms, may be early indications of an
immune deficiency, such as HIV infection.
2.
Cancer. If
you have cancer, your immune system is likely to be weakened from the disease
and from treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Both the disease and
treatments can increase your risk of candida infections such as oral thrush.
3.
Diabetes
mellitus. If you have untreated diabetes or the disease isn't well-controlled,
your saliva may contain large amounts of sugar, which encourages the growth of
candida.
4.
Vaginal
yeast infections. Vaginal yeast infections are caused by the same fungus that
causes oral thrush. Although a yeast infection isn't dangerous, if you're
pregnant you can pass the fungus to your baby during delivery. As a result,
your newborn may develop oral thrush.
