Definition

Noun: 1. A fungal infection: A medical condition caused by an overgrowth of fungi, primarily of the Candida species (especially Candida albicans), which are normally present in small amounts in the body. This infection can affect various areas, including the mouth, throat, skin, or genital region.

Usage and Examples

• General Medical Context:
  • The patient was diagnosed with oral candidiasis after presenting with white patches on the tongue.
  • Antibiotic use can sometimes lead to vaginal candidiasis.
• Specifying the Type:
  • Thrush is the common name for oropharyngeal candidiasis.

Advanced Usage

• Systemic Candidiasis: Refers to a severe, invasive form of the infection where the fungus enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. This is a serious condition often seen in immunocompromised individuals.
  • The chemotherapy patient was closely monitored for signs of systemic candidiasis.

Variants and Related Words

• Candidal (adjective): Pertaining to or caused by .
  • The rash was identified as a candidal infection.
• Moniliasis (noun): An older, synonymous term for candidiasis.
• Thrush (noun): The common term for candidiasis affecting the mouth and throat.
• Yeast Infection (noun): A common term, often used specifically for vaginal candidiasis.

Synonyms

• Yeast infection (common layperson's term)
• Thrush (for oral infection)
• Moniliasis (dated medical term)

Notes on Meaning

The term candidiasis specifically denotes an infection and implies an overgrowth or imbalance. It is not used to describe the harmless, normal presence of Candida fungi on the body. The location of the infection is often specified (e.g., oral, cutaneous, vulvovaginal).

Noun

1. an infection caused by fungi of the genus Monilia or Candida (especially Candida albicans)