What is thrush like? And can I get it?

[forrest]

I was wondering what Thrush was like... and with my numbers, can I even get it?  Can I see it if I look in my mouth? Or is it more back in the throat? I've had a sore throat for about a week now and it's getting old.

I have no clue as to why I have a sore throat.  I thought maybe it was due to all the wildfires going on, but those have never bothered me in past years. And, per some allergy testing a couple years ago, apparently, I don't have any allergies to anything.

Is having thrush like a sore throat?  I don't know whether to worry about my sore throat or not.  Having HIV now, I doublethink things.  I was under the impression that you only got thrush if your CD4's were really low - or am I mistaken?

Thanks! 

[Miss Philicia]

First of all people get sore throats when they are HIV-negative, as I'm sure you once did and were.

Thrush is certainly more common at the lower numbers, but I had it when mine were in the 400s, and also most people have symptoms linky but when I had it I didn't notice it until a doctor did during a check up. As that link states it's generally when it's progressed far and lesions have spread into your esophagus that the patient experiences pain.

Doesn't your HIV doctor look into your mouth during every check up? I assume that's why they do it, or one reason.

[mskandy01]

HEY, I'VE HAD THRUSH A FEW TIMES AND NEVER KNEW THAT HIV INFECTED PPL GET IT. ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD IT BEFORE MY BODY SHOWED POSITIVE IT WAS A FEW MOS LATER WHEN MY NEXT TEST SHOWED I WAS POZ.
IT ISN'T FUND TO HAVE WHEN YOU HAVE IT TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM ANYTHING WITH ACID IN IT LIKE KETCHUP FOR EXAMPLE ITS PAINFUL.
WHEN MY DOCTOR LOOKED IN MY MOUTH I HAD ANOTHER ONE SO SINCE I'VE BEEN POZ I'VE GOTTEN THEM 3TIMES THEY CAN GIVE YOU MEDS FOR IT.
THIS SHOULD HELP YOU MORE.
http://www.medicinenet.com/thrush/article.htm

[Mrmojorisin]

 I got thrush..that is how I found out I was positive. My throat was sore and I had a fever in the evening. When I went to the doc, he discovered white spots all over the inside of my mouth. He prescribed drug that fights yeast infection and it cleared up in two or three days.

[J.R.E.]

Hello Forest,

Here's a lesson in detail,  from the site, which will probably answer all your questions regarding thrush. It quite informative. From symptoms to diagnosis, to treatment, and tips on prevention.

Having had thrush, and esophageal candida, believe me, you'll know it it, if you have it.  Prior to starting meds I had esophageal candida,( which I didn't know I had, until I had an endoscopy. I related it to GERD, with severe heartburn.

The thrush in my mouth,  ( just about the time prior to starting meds) was quite visible, as elevated yellowish/white spots, throughout the mouth, especially on the sides and tongue.

My tcell count was very low at the time.

Here's the lesson:


http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Candidiasis_6839.shtml


Ray

[J.R.E.]

I have no clue as to why I have a sore throat.  I thought maybe it was due to all the wildfires going on, but those have never bothered me in past years.

Thanks!

But, It could very well be a possibility that all these fires may be bothering your throat. Or, you may just have a sore throat, that needs to be looked at, by an ear, nose, throat doc.


Take care----Ray

[mecch]

Anyone can get thrush, HIV+ or HIV-.
A straight, HIV-, buddy of mine got it in college.

[forrest]

Thanks guys - hopefully it's not what I have.  Just odd that it's not going away... could be GI related though as well. I looked with a flashlight into my mouth... not particularly used to looking in my mouth like that so not sure if what I'm looking at is normal or not (there is some whitish looking stuff... but could just be normal too for all I know). Anyway, thank you.

[littleprince]

If it's white on your tonsils then most likely an infection. Thrush is usually white patches anywhere on your tongue, gums, or any soft surface. If you've had a sore throat for a week it probably a good time for a visit to the doctor.

[buginme2]

If this sore throat is bothering you this much why don't you just go to the doctor to get it looked at instead of trying to diagnose yourself with a flashlight and a computer?

[jimbalaya]

I went to the Dr. years ago thinking I had strep throat, and it turned out to be thrush...and this was about 4 years before I became HIV+ so it can definitely happen no matter what your cd4's are.....I had thrush from a reaction to an antibiotic....(that's what the Dr. thought anyway)...he did scare me though and tell me that usually thrush is a sign of being positive so I was on pins and needles for a week before finding out I was neg.   Again this was years before I become HIV+, but either way, if your throat is bothering you, get it checked out...thrush was no fun for sure....