How can thrush be caught

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy.

Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. Our picks for Can men get thrush? Should you clean your vagina? Is your lifestyle giving you thrush? Can semen cause vaginal odour after sex?

Get tested today Sexual health blood and urine profiles now available in Patient Access Book now. Read next. What your vaginal discharge could be trying to tell you. However, it will usually clear up if your partner gets treatment.

Gay men may also get thrush by having unprotected sex. The infection will usually clear up with treatment. Avoid sex until the infection has cleared up, and always use a condom. If you have thrush, practising good personal hygiene can help clear up the infection. Wash the affected area carefully using warm water. Showers are a better option than baths. Avoid using perfumed soaps or shower gels on your genitals, because they can cause irritation. After washing, make sure you dry the affected area carefully, as the candida fungus thrives in damp conditions.

Wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear can help keep your skin and penis dry and cool, which helps prevent the candida fungus building up on your skin and under your foreskin.

If you have a weakened immune system, there is a risk that the candida fungus will spread into your blood. The infection can then spread quickly throughout your body, affecting many of your organs.

Known risk factors for invasive candidiasis include:. Symptoms of invasive candidiasis can be wide-ranging, depending on what part of the body is affected by infection. However, initial symptoms can include:. Get medical help immediately if you have thrush and any of the risk factors listed above, or you develop any of the above symptoms over a short period of time.

Invasive candidiasis is a medical emergency that requires immediate admission to an intensive care unit ICU. In an ICU, functions of the body can be supported while the underlying infection is treated with anti-fungal medications. If you are thought to be particularly vulnerable to invasive candidiasis — for example, you have diabetes and are on dialysis, your GP may recommend that you are admitted to hospital as a precaution if you develop a thrush infection. Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Thrush in men.

Thrush in men See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About thrush in men 2. Symptoms of thrush in men 3. Causes of thrush in men 4. Diagnosing thrush in men 5. Treating thrush in men 6. Complications of thrush in men. About thrush in men Thrush is a yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. The medical term for thrush is candidiasis. What it looks like In men, it usually affects the head of the penis — causing irritation, discharge and redness.

Read more about the symptoms of thrush It can also affect the skin, known as candidal skin infection, and the inside of the mouth, known as oral thrush.

Should I see a doctor? Treating and preventing thrush You can treat thrush without prescription medications. Read more about treating thrush You can help prevent thrush by cleaning your penis regularly and using a condom while having sex with your partner if they have thrush.

What causes thrush? You are more likely to be at risk of thrush if: you have a weakened immune system are obese , with large rolls of skin an environment where fungi can often thrive have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes — as the high levels of glucose associated with diabetes can encourage the fungus to breed; people with diabetes also tend to sweat more, creating a perfect breeding environment for the fungus Read more about what causes thrush in men.

Symptoms of thrush in men Some men may not experience any signs or symptoms of thrush. Candida transmission and sexual behaviors as risks for a repeat episode of candida vulvovaginitis.

J Women Health. Planned Parenthood. Is it safe to have oral sex when you have a yeast infection? June 20, Hester R, Kennedy S.

Candida infection as a risk factor for HIV transmission. J Womens Health Larchmt. Effect of commercial vaginal products on the growth of uropathogenic and commensal vaginal bacteria.

Sci Rep. Candida albicans pathogenicity mechanisms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vulvovaginal candidiasis. Updated June 4, Your Privacy Rights.

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Is Thrush Contagious? Frequently Asked Questions. Yeast Infection Symptoms and Complications. See Photo. How to Prevent Yeast Infections. Thrush Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF. Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up.

Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Some people can have thrush but have no symptoms. Common symptoms of thrush include:.

Symptoms for men can include red spots or rash on the penis, scrotum or groin. Some uncircumcised men have Candida under the foreskin, but have no symptoms. Thrush can be diagnosed by examination of the affected area. A swab can also be taken and tested in a laboratory to confirm a diagnosis of thrush.

You can buy pessaries dissolving tablets you put into the vagina and cream over-the-counter from your pharmacy. Complete the treatment even if you are having a period. Men should apply the cream to the genital area, penis and under the foreskin, if uncircumcised. Your doctor may also test for sexually transmissible infections, which can cause similar symptoms. Your sex partners may need treatment at the same time to stop you getting it again.