Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |  |
 |
 |
Thrush
Jun 16, 2000
What is thrush and what causes it? What medication is used to treat thrush?
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. Reznik
Thrush is a common term for pseudomembranous candidiasis which is caused by fungal organisms. The most common causative agent is Candida albicans, but our recent research has shown an increased prevalence of non-albicans species such as Candida glabrata and Candida Krusei. The difficulties these non-albicans species bring is that, for the most part, they do not respond to existing therapies.
Medications used to treat thrush are based on the extent of disease. For mild to moderate infections, I recommend topical therapies such as Mycelex troches. I do not recommend the use of nystatin swish and swallow due to the high glucose concentration (50%) as well as the length of time a person in expected to keep this medication in the mouth (5 minutes). This is the time nystatin needs to be in contact with the candidal plaques to be effective.
For moderate to severe bouts of thrush I recommend Diflucan (fluconazole) which is dosed a 200 mg on day one, then 100 mg a day for the rest of a two week period of time.
Whether you are using a topical or systemic medication, treatment should last for at least two weeks; this helps prevent against recurrence of the infection. For pictures of candidiasis, please visit the HIVdent Picture Gallery.
I hope his information proves helpful.
Sincerely,
DR
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
