Thrush
Thrush is an infection with a fungus. It is also known as a yeast infection. The fungus, called Candida, occurs naturally in the body, particularly in warm, moist areas.
Thrush can occur in the vagina, penis, groin and mouth.
Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) because many people already have a small amount of Candida in their bodies. In fact, the organism is actually more common in people who are not sexually active.
Thrush can develop when there is an overgrowth of Candida due to factors such as hormones, medication side effects and medical conditions like diabetes.
You may require an antifungal medication or lozenge to clear the infection. You can speak to your pharmacist or doctor about the best treatment.
Speak to your doctor if the thrush is severe or comes back after treatment.
Not sure what to do next?
If you are still concerned about your thrush, why not use healthdirect’s online Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention.
The Symptom Checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare steps, whether it’s self care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero (000).
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Last reviewed: November 2021
