Systemic candidiasis

January 2005     View PDF     En español

Candidiasis is a fungal infection and among the most common conditions seen in people with HIV. While candidiasis is a rather common condition in general, it’s often the first illness and sign that HIV disease is progressing to a more severe stage. Candidiasis outbreaks can be frequent, can cause great discomfort and can add to the decline of health in HIV disease.

Candidiasis can occur in the mouth, throat, windpipe (esophagus), vagina or on the skin. It can also spread throughout the body. While this is rare, it is life-threatening. The most common places for infection are in the mouth and vagina. Recurrent and difficult to treat vaginal yeast infections are a sign of HIV disease progression in women.

This publication focuses on systemic candidiasis—when it spreads throughout the body and may impact many systems. For more information on oral or vaginal candidiasis, read Project Inform’s publications, Oral Candidiasis and Vaginal Candidiasis.