This is a fungus which infects humans. A woman can get it in her vagina where it causes intense itching, soreness and a thick, curdy, white discarge. A doctor can confirm the diagnosis by taking a swab and examining it under a microscope. In a man, thrush may produce no symptoms or there may be slight soreness or redness of the penis but your doctor may wish to take swabs from him if you are infected.
Thrush is often but by no means always caught venereally (from other people’s sex organs). Quite a lot of people carry thrush fungus m their bowels and finger nails but have no symptoms. Women who are pregnant, on the Pill, on antibiotics, or who are diabetic, are especially prone to it. If you have thrush time and again it is wise to have your urine checked for sugar just in case you have become diabetic.
Treatment is fairly simple. For a first attack a pessary, cream or capsule may be prescribed which has to be inserted at the top of the vagina. With luck this single treatment will result in cure. For recurrent attacks, which are common due to reinfection from the woman herself or her partner, pessaries, creams or tampons may be prescribed and have to be used for up to three weeks. During the treatment, or for 10 days, intercourse should be avoided or a condom used, especially if swabs show the man to be infected. He is likely to be given cream to apply under the foreskin. Regular washing, avoidance of tight underclothes, and wearing cotton knickers all help, as does the avoidance of perfumed soaps and bath additives.
If you get thrush, don’t assume that your partner has been unfaithful – you have probably caught it from yourself, from your own bowel infection or nails.
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