Candida albicans

Yeastlike fungus present in the human digestive tract and in the vagina, which causes no harm in most healthy people. However, it can cause problems if it multiplies excessively, as in vaginal candidiasis or thrush, the main symptom of which is intense itching.

The most common form of thrush is oral, which often occurs in those taking steroids or prolonged courses of antibiotics.

Newborn babies may pick up the yeast during birth and suffer an infection of the mouth and throat. There is also some evidence that overgrowth of Candida may occur in the intestines, causing diarrhoea, bloating, and other symptoms such as headache and fatigue, but this is not yet proven. Occasionally, Candida can infect immunocompromised patients, such as those with AIDS. Treatment for candidiasis is based on antifungal drugs.