Candida albicans is a fungus that can be found on all parts of the human body, along with other bacteria and microorganisms. The natural fungus, bacteria and microorganisms keep each other in balance. Sometimes, Candida gets out of control because medications, illnesses or stress has killed off the bacteria and microorganisms, allowing Candida to grow unchecked. A Candida infection in the mouth is commonly known as thrush, according to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
White Coating
White patches may appear on the tongue, roof or sides of the mouth, gums or even on the back of the throat. A thick coating which looks like cottage cheese may also form. If the white coating is scraped away, the underlying tissue may be red and bleeding. Sometimes, bleeding can occur while the teeth are being brushed if the white coating is disturbed.
Pain or Discomfort
The tongue, throat and mucus membranes may develop painful sores beneath the white coating, and lips could crack and bleed. A patient may describe discomfort in the mid-chest after eating, if the Candida has spread to her esophagus. A burning sensation at the back of the throat is sometimes reported. An infant suffering from Candida may not latch onto the breast or bottle well because his mouth hurts.
Difficulty Swallowing
Candida can spread rapidly to the back of the mouth and the throat, making it difficult to swallow. If left unchecked, Candida can even travel to the gastrointestinal tract and bloodstream. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, this could turn into a life-threatening situation because a Candida infection in the blood, or Candida sepsis, is difficult to recover from.
Fever
A fever is usually a symptom of infection, and someone with Candida will often have an elevated body temperature. However, as the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging explains, a fever does not always accompany an infection, so a normal body temperature should not rule out Candida.
Altered Taste
Food may taste differently when the mouth is afflicted with the velvety coating associated with Candida. Some patients report that the flavor of spicy or sweet foods changed while battling a Candida infection. This symptom usually returns to normal after the infection has been resolved, and the white coating subsides.
