Sometimes referred to as a bacterial yeast infection a candida infection is one of the most common infections in women
. Although the symptoms of a bacterial infection or bacterial vaginosis and a yeast infection or candida infection can mimic each other, they are completely different.
Bacterial vaginosis is actually caused by the harmful bacterium Gardnerella. Bacterial vaginosis used to be called Gardnerella vaginitis because that was the bacteria that usually caused this infection.
Now a yeast infection is exactly what it sounds like an overgrowth of yeast. It is actually a fungal infection caused by candida. There are different types of candida infections, candida albicans is variety that causes problems for women.
Your body has a natural flora which is a combination of several things like your immune system and "good" bacteria. Anytime time this flora becomes unbalanced or disturbed it makes you vulnerable to getting an infection.
Antibiotics are one of the leading reasons for all types of candida infections. Antibiotics kill "bad" bacteria while accidentally killing the "good" bacteria leaving your natural flora unbalanced. This means you are very susceptible to getting either infection.
Now a yeast infection is not considered a STD but it can be transmitted back and forth between partners, my husband and I found that one out the hard way. However bacterial vaginosis is not considered a STD and cannot be transmitted between partners.
Men can have a mild yeast infection and pass it on to you if left untreated. It is not uncommon for men to experience little to no symptoms of a yeast infection and just be a carrier.
Symptoms of a yeast infection are a vaginal white discharge that could be light to heavy with the consistency of cottage cheese. So women have described it like crumbly blue cheese.
Other symptoms would be a little yeasty odor to no odor at all. You should have extreme itchiness and soreness around the vagina. Painful urination and pain during intercourse may also be symptoms.
Thrush, athletes foot, or skin candida infections if left untreated can escalate to more serious candida infections like digestive track, intestinal all the way to a systemic yeast infection. Candida can really cause you problems if you continue to ignore an infection.
If candida enters your blood stream it is considered a systemic yeast infection, this is bad. Now a systemic yeast infection is rare but it can happen if you continue to ignore a infection. A systemic candida infection will wreak havoc on you internal organs maybe even start shutting them down.
You could try an over the counter treatment from your local pharmacy but it will only cure the symptoms and will not address the root of the problem. The best way to permanently cure any candida infection is to kill all of the candida in the whole body. Its the only way to be sure you wont be dealing with another infection in the near future.