Women & HIV/AIDS

Vaginal Yeast Infections

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Vaginal yeast infections are fungal infections that cause a thick white coating in your vulva and vagina. It is also called vaginal candidiasis (kan-dih-DEYE-uh-suhss). Yeast infections happen when candida, a fungus that is normally found in the body, grows too much in these areas. It also can happen in your mouth and throat. This is called thrush. Symptoms include a thick, white discharge, pain during sex, pain when you pass urine, and vaginal burning and soreness. It is usually treated with creams or suppositories, which you can buy in the drug store or get from your doctor. If this treatment doesn't work, other drugs are used to treat the infection. Vaginal yeast infections are common and easily treated in most women, but happen more often and are harder to treat in women with HIV.

Tips to prevent vaginal yeast infections:

• Don't use feminine products such as douches, perfumed sprays, and powders.
• Wear cotton underpants and pantyhose with a cotton crotch.

Additional Resources:

Publications

1.   Candidiasis — This publication gives information on the different types of this common fungal infection, including vaginal yeast infections, symptoms, how they are treated, the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments, and possible health complications from not getting treatment.

   http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/candidiasis_gi.html

2.   Fact Sheet — Vaginal Yeast Infections — This online fact sheet gives information on vaginal yeast infections, the symptoms, causes, how an infection is diagnosed, treatment, and prevention methods.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/vaginal-yeast-infections.cfm

3. Systemic Candidiasis (Copyright © Project Inform) — Systemic candidiasis is when this common fungal infection spreads throughout the body. This publication explains the danger of systemic candidiasis for people with HIV, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, what treatments are available, and what other complications may arise.

   http://www.projectinform.org/info/candida_s/index.shtml

4. Vaginal Candidiasis (Copyright © Project Inform) — This publication gives information on vaginal yeast infections in HIV/AIDS patients. It explains the cause, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

   http://www.projectinform.org/info/candida_v/index.shtml

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Content last updated March 4, 2009.