Can you get thrush infection after oral sex?
Date: May 10th, 2022
Both vaginal yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis) and oral thrush, oral candidiasis results from the overgrowth of naturally existing fungus called Candida Albicans. And they both appear as a creamy white lacerations that can itch, burn, or bleed when scraped or rubbed. The fact that yeast infection can occur in the mouth, several people believe that it can be transmitted via oral sex.
While there is a link between candidiasis and oral sex, the risk is not associated with the transmissions of the fungus but to the conditions encouraging the overgrowth of Candida albicans. In this post, we will discuss about candidiasis and see if you can get oral thrush after blow job. Read on for more.
What is thrush infection?
Thrush infections are strange white lesions or rashes found inside the mouth and other parts of the body, especially genitals. They are caused by yeast known as candida fungus. Anybody can have thrush infection but it is more common in infants, causing diaper rash and older adults. Apart from babies, toddlers and older adults, thrush infections is also common in people with weak immune systems.
This infection is usually mild and does not pose any serious complications but those with weak immune systems, it can occur in other vital parts of the body and lead to a severe complications. And since it can spread up to the genitals, people are often worried if you can get oral thrush after blow job.
Causes of oral thrush.
Common yeast infections and oral thrush are generally caused by an overgrowth yeast fungus known as Candida albicans. It is always normal to find and tolerable amount C. albicans fungus to live in the mouth without any problems. When you got a strong immune system, the beneficial bacteria helps regulate the growth and presence of these yeast fungus-C. albicans.
However, if you have a compromised immune system or a disrupted microorganism balance in the body, the fungus can overgrow uncontrollably. Also, certain medications such as antibiotics that reduces the number of good organisms in the mouth can lead to oral thrush. Cancer treatments like radiation therapy and chemotherapy can also kill or damage healthy cells, leaving you exposed to various infections including oral thrush. Oral thrush is one of the common opportunistic infection in those living with HIV. Therefore, conditions such as Leukemia and HIV that are known to weaken immune system, leaves patients more susceptible to thrush infections.
Diabetes also can greatly increase your risk of getting oral thrush. If not controlled, diabetes increases the blood sugar levels and weakens the immune system hence creates a favorable condition for yeast fungus to thrive leading to thrush infections.
Symptoms of oral thrush.
In the initial stage, oral thrush infection may not show eminent symptoms, but as it gets more serious, you experience either or all of the following signs and symptoms:
- Yellow or white patches of bumps in the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils, or lips.
- Burning or soreness in the mouth.
- Minor bleeding if the patches are scraped.
- Dry, cracked skin along the corners of the mouth.
- Loss of taste.
- Bad smell in the mouth.
- Difficulty swallowing.
Though it rarely occur, oral thrush can affect the esophagus in some cases. And the same fungus causing the thrush can lead to yeast infection in different parts of the body.
Is oral thrush contagious?
Is it possible to get oral thrush after blow job? Well, to get an answer to this question, we need to confirm whether oral thrush is contagious or not. Find out the answer from the following section. If you are infected with oral thrush, you can easily transmit the fungus causing the condition to another person through kissing or oral sex. And in most cases, this person may develop the symptoms.
Also, the fungus that causes oral thrush is responsible for common yeast infections in various body parts. So, you can possibly pass the fungus from your body to someone else’s through contact. If you have a penile yeast infection, vaginal yeast infection, or oral thrush, you can pass the infection and oral thrush after blow job, penetrative sex, or anilingus. For pregnant mothers with any of these infection, they can pass them to their babies during delivery.
Again if a mother has a nipple or breast yeast infection, they can make their babies get oral thrush during breastfeeding. On the other hand, babies can also pass oral thrush to their mothers when they are breastfeeding. When fungus C. albicans is transferred from one person to the next, it does not always lead to yeast infections or oral thrush. And, because the fungus is more prevalent in our environment, it doesn’t mean you may have it from another person. However, when you have risk factors, such as weakened immune system from various disease like HIV, you are under medication that reduces healthy bacteria or you got a chronic health condition such as diabetes, you’ll probably develop oral thrush after contracting the fungus.
How to diagnose oral thrush.
There are several ways your doctor can use to diagnose oral thrush after blow job. First he may simply examine your mouth for any signs of the bump that it causes. In some instances, the doctor may get a biopsy of the infected area and confirm the diagnosis. To carry out biopsy, the doctor will take a small portion of the bump from the mouth and send the sample to the lab to test for candida albicans.
If your medical provider suspects that the infection is in the esophagus, they’ll recommend endoscopy or throat swab culture to ascertain the diagnosis. And to perform a swab test on the throat, the doctor will take a cotton swab to get a sample tissue from the affected area in the back of your throat. After that they will take the sample to the laboratory for tests to confirm whether you have a thrush infection or not.
And for endoscopy test, the medical professional will use a thin tube having a camera and a light attached to it called an endoscope. They will then insert it through the mouth to the esophagus and examine it. They may also take tissue samples for detailed analysis.
Treatment for oral thrush.
Your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments:
- Clotrimzole, an antifungal medication that is found as lozenges.
- Fluconazole, or Diflucan, an oral medication.
- Itraconazole, an oral antifungal used to treat persons who are not responding to other oral thrush treatments and HIV patients.
- Amphotericin B, a treatment method that is used in serious cases of oral thrush.
- Nystatin, Nystop, or Nyata. An antifungal mouthwash that you can gargle in the mouth or swab in the babies mouth.
Once you start treatment, the thrush will disappear within few days, but in some rare cases, the infection might reoccur. For adults experiencing reoccurring oral thrush without clear cause, the doctor will examine them to find out the underlying condition that could be leading to thrush. Babies may have many episodes of oral thrush throughout the first years of their life. This is usually normal and can be alleviated by simple medical prescriptions from a qualified pediatrician.
How to remedy oral thrush at home.
In some instances, your doctor may recommend a lifestyle change or oral thrush home remedies to stop it from reoccurring or treat it. Also, it is important to observe oral hygiene during your recovery periods.
Here are some tips you can use:
- Use a soft toothbrush when you are brushing to avoid scraping the thrush bumps.
- Properly clean your dentures and replace the toothbrush after completing the treatment so you can minimize the risk of reoccurring.
- Avoid mouth sprays and mouth washes unless prescribed by the doctor.
Some of the common oral thrush home remedies may also relieve symptoms in adults. Consider rinsing your mouth with the following:
- Saltwater.
- A solution of lemon juice and water.
- A mixture of apple cider vinegar and water.
- A solution of baking soda and water.
You may also take a probiotic supplement or eat yogurt because it contains beneficial bacteria. Consult your physician before giving an infant any supplement.
Conclusion.
Oral thrush is a common infection that is caused by an overgrowth of a naturally existing fungus known as the C. Albicans. Though it does not pose any serious complications, it can be very uncomfortable and lead to bad symptoms such as bad smell in the mouth and loss of taste. The fungus is contagious and can lead to oral thrush after blow job. However, oral thrush can be easily diagnosed by simply examining the mouth, throat swab or endoscopy. Fortunately, it can be treated by common over-the-counter medications and other oral thrush home remedies.