Yeast Infection Symptoms - Signs of a Yeast Infection

The signs and symptoms of a yeast infection, caused by the Candida fungus, may vary from person to person. Not all symptoms will be experienced by all people. For the most part, yeast infections are not cause for alarm and are not life threatening. However, they are uncomfortable. The sign and symptoms can range from mild to intense.

Signs and symptoms of yeast infection:

• Vaginal itching, burning and inflammation


• Thick, white discharge


• Nausea or vomiting.


• Anal itching


• Swelling of the vulva with small red bumps.


• Pain or burning in the pelvic area during urination or during sexual intercourse.

Yeast infection can appear in the folds of the skin, as well as:

• Under the arms


• In the folds under the breast and abdomen


• Inside the mouth


• Under the foreskin in uncircumcised males


• In the mouth and diaper areas in babies

In adults, the risk of yeast infection increases with age and can appear around dentures and nail beds. These forms of Candida can be treated with topical anti fungal medications.

What are the signs and symptoms of a serious yeast transmission?

Yeast can enter the bloodstream through abrasions in the skin or mucous membranes, resulting in a systemic Candida infection, or candidemia. This is a critical situation and may be life threatening. Systemic yeast infections kill approximately seventy-five percent of it's victims. Although antibiotics are effective against bacteria, it also destroys the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, which aids in keeping other organisms from causing problems.

Candida can enter the blood stream when a patient needs a urinary catheter or an intravenous port for infusing blood and medications. The use of non sterile needles, such as used by IV drug abusers can cause the candida fungus to be injected directly into the blood stream. This can result in the fungus spreading to the brain, leading to altered mental function and changes in behavior.

Repeated signs and symptoms of yeast infections may indicate more serious chronic illnesses such as:

• HIV/AIDS


• Cancer


• Diabetes


• Leukemia

Certain medications, such as antibiotics and steroids may cause signs and symptoms of yeast infection, as well as:

• Elevated hormone levels


• Pregnancy


• Menstruation


• Sperm

Candida infections most often affect:

• Blood


• Brain


• Eye


• Kidney


• Heart


• Lungs


• Liver


• Spleen

You should seek medical treatment if the infection is accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:

• Fever


• Chills


• Nausea and vomiting


• Abdominal pain

These signs and symptoms could be indications of appendicitis or pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, which require immediate medical attention.

If you are showing any of the signs and symptoms of a yeast infection, contact your health care provider for diagnosis. If you have had Candidiasis in the past and are familiar with the symptoms, you can get anti fungal medication for yeast infection at your local pharmacy.

By Barb Hicks, RN