Candidiasis or Candidosis OR Thrush is a yeast infection caused by any Candida species. Candida albicans is the most common agent causing infections in humans. The infection is commonly called 'thrush' or 'moniliasis'.

Candida occurs freely everywhere and their infections can affect the body in many ways. From small localized areas of infection in some or fast-spreading multi-system infections in others, Candidal infections can be superficial or life-threatening.

Candida is normally present in most people. The organism is a commensal i.e. it naturally colonizes the human body without benefiting or damaging it.

A healthy immune system and the presence of other microorganisms, check its uncontrolled multiplication and thereby, infections.

It is an opportunistic organism causing an infection only when your immune defenses are lowered enough for it to multiply. Carriers generally don't develop any symptoms so long as they are healthy. Yet, the incidence of Candidiasis is common among

Most often these infections are localized. Many clinical/medical conditions also increase the risk of acquiring Candidiasis. In such cases where the immune system is lowered, the infection spreads through the bloodstream and spreads to other organs as well.