Oral candidiasis (thrush)

November 2005     View PDF     En español

Diagnosis

Oral conditions are usually diagnosed by appearance and symptoms. Diagnosis can be confirmed by scraping a sore and examining it under a microscope. Further lab tests are usually performed if the infection does not clear up after drug treatment.

Candida infection of the throat (esophagus) is a serious condition. It is on the list of AIDS defining illnesses, affecting up to 20% of people with AIDS. It often occurs together with oral candidiasis. Symptoms include chest pain, nausea and painful or difficult swallowing, causing people to not want to eat.

If symptoms do not improve with treatment, or problems with swallowing occur without oral candidiasis, an endoscopy is usually performed. This procedure is where a small tube is used to look at the esophagus for signs of infection.