How is candida transmitted

Overview

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida, a yeast. Everyone has Candida on their skin and in parts of their body (like the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina).

Candida only causes symptoms and infections if it grows out of control.

Vaginal candidiasis (yeast infections) are one of the most common fungal infections. Candida can also overgrow in the mouth or throat (thrush) or in the esophagus (the tube leading from the throat into the gut).

Invasive candidiasis symptoms

Invasive candidiasis occurs among hospitalized patients when Candida infects the internal organs like the kidney or brain or the bloodstream (also called candidemia). The symptoms and severity of infection are very different compared to the more common candidiasis of the vagina, mouth, throat, and esophagus.

Generally, healthy people are not at risk for invasive candidiasis.

Types and strains

Many types (species) of Candida live on the skin and in parts of the body and normally do not cause any health effects.

The most common species that can overgrow and cause candidiasis are: Cand