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Strep and yeast infection: Is There a Connection between Strep Throat and Yeast infection – YeastInfection.Org

Is There a Connection between Strep Throat and Yeast infection – YeastInfection.Org

What is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a throat infection with a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus. Sore throat is a major symptom of this condition, and the condition is therefore commonly called strep throat. Strep throat is common in children between 5 and 15 years old, and is rare in children below 3 years of age.

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What does the Strep Throat infection look like?

There is a sudden onset of sore throat. The child may suddenly start feel generally unwell. This may progress to throat pain, difficulty in swallowing, headache, fever (with or without chills) and vomiting. On examination, the throat of the child may be red, with red and enlarged tonsils, sometimes with patches of pus. The area at the back of roof of the mouth may show red spots. The lymph glands in the neck may be enlarged and tender.

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Is Strep Throat related to Yeast Infection?

Yeast or Candida infection of the mouth and throat can cause a sore throat similar to strep throat. However, the yeast infection of the throat does not lead to strep throat.
Yeast infection of the throat is called thrush, and usually occurs in people with diabetes, weak immune system or having had treatment with antibiotic or corticosteroids. It can occur in all age groups, and even in an infant if the mother has vaginal thrush and the baby was born through vaginal delivery.

While thrush and strep throat can look alike, the causative organisms are different for the two conditions.

What are the symptoms of sore throat caused by Yeast?

Yeast infection of the throat can start suddenly or slowly. The symptoms may be confused with a mild case of strep throat. There are white patches on the tongue and tonsils, as well as the mucosa of the inner cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth. The patches may be slightly raised with a cheese-like appearance. The soreness may make it difficult to eat or swallow food. On scraping the patches, there may be bleeding spots. There is a loss of taste in the mouth. There is usually no swelling of lymph nodes.

How is Strep Throat different from Yeast Infection?

Strep throat spreads through air, when an infected person coughs or sneezes and discharges the bacteria into the air. It can also spread through shared food or drinks, or by touching contaminated things. Yeast is normally present in our body, and in the presence of decreased immunity, it overgrows and leads to infections.

Thrush caused by yeast leads to white patches throughout the mouth, while the patches in strep throat are mainly on the tonsils, with red spots on the roof of back of the mouth. Usually pus points are not seen on the tonsils in yeast infection. While the yeast infection can linger on for weeks or months, strep throat usually resolves in a week or two, with or without treatment.

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Studies have shown that antibiotics decrease the severity of the symptoms, but the duration is reduced only by a day. Antifungal drugs and supplements are required for yeast infection of the throat.

Strep Vagina Is a Real Thing

This article was medically fact-checked by Women’s health expert and Gynaecologist Dr. Alyssa Dweck.

We’re going to start this out with a little story.

I have a friend of a friend that would get chronic yeast infections. Let’s call her Polly. 

Polly would often get them after she had sex. Which was frequent. Her diet of coffee, cheese sticks, and cigarettes definitely didn’t help her system stay balanced either.

One time, thinking she had a yeast infection, she turned to her go-to treatments and creams. 

None of them worked. 

After going too long in vag-onizing discomfort, Polly finally went to the doctor.

After a swabbing and testing, Polly’s doctor found out that she didn’t have a yeast infection this time afterall. 

She had a strep infection. In her vagina. 

Like strep throat, but in her vagina!!!

I’m a little ashamed to admit that upon hearing this, I burst into laughter. Given the context and absurdity of it, I couldn’t help but crack up.

After regaining my composure, I began to ask questions. 

As a reproductive health writer and educator, I took it upon myself to dive in and find out exactly the how, what, and why of strep vaginas. 

When in Labor Land

In my work as a birth doula, I’ve worked with many clients that have had Group B Strep, or GBS, bacteria present in their vagina. If they’re birthing in a hospital, that typically means administering a round of an antibiotic, usually Penicillin, every four or so hours.

Around 25% of women have GBS in their vagina, but it’s rare that this will cause complications with the pregnancy or baby, and even rarer when antibiotics are used. 

Despite having this knowledge, it still came as a shock to me that someone could have a strep infection in their vagina. Logically of course, it makes total sense.

Understanding Strep Bacteria

If you’re familiar with the vaginal flora, and the microbiomes we have in our bodies, it probably comes at no surprise that we are hosts to a myriad of different kinds of bacteria, including streptococcus.   There are four different groups of strep bacteria: A, B, C and G. 

For the most part, people cohabitate peacefully with strep bacteria in their bodies. On occasion, it can get a little out of hand, and cause infections.  Many of us have had strep throat, which is usually caused by Group A.  Group B is most dangerous for infants, although in adults it can cause skin, blood, and bone infections. Group C infections are rare, as it’s typically transmitted from contact with animals like cows or horses. 

Group G strep infections are also not very common, however, rates of infections have increased in recent years. Group G however is commonly found in the flora of the human skin, oral cavity, nasopharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina. This is normal, although can lead to infection in some cases.

How Can it Affect Your Vagina? 

For prepubescent girls, Group A strep is a recognized cause of vaginitis. Now researchers are finding that it can also affect adults with vaginas (https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21336834). Because of a lack of research and understanding, these women are often misdiagnosed as having vulvovaginal candidosis. A different kind of bacterial imbalance.  Bacteria are friendly, and like to get around. If someone in your household, especially someone you’re intimate with is a carrier of Group A strep, it’s possible they could transmit it to you. 

Given the high prevalence of Group B strep, it’s not usually attributed to causing infections. Even when it is present in women with vulvovaginal symptoms. Doctors are even more cautious about diagnosing on the basis of Group B strep because levels of it can vary through a woman’s menstrual cycle, and other hormonal shifts like pregnancy. 

Although some levels of Group G strep are normal, this strain can lead to severe infection, which could possibly occur in the genitals. Vaginal strep infections are rare. Given symptoms like abnormal discharge, swelling, and redness, that are similar to other vaginal infections, it can make it almost impossible to diagnose strep vagina without a bacterial culture. Even with a culture, strep isn’t usually the first thing a doctor will test for. Meaning like Polly, people often won’t find out until initial treatments don’t work, and symptoms worsen. 

Technically called Strep A or B Vaginitis, this is not a sexually transmitted disease. However, in a small sample, researchers found that sexual contact may increase the transmission of GBS amongst heterosexual couples. 

Who Gets Strep Vagina?

The risk of GBS infections increases with age. As with any infection, you are also at a greater risk if you are immuno-compromised, or don’t have the healthiest lifestyle. Like our friend Polly.  Colonization of Group A strep, is more common in people with other skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or open sores. Strep bacteria can also travel to the urethra, and cause painful urinary tract infections.

How It’s Treated

Most likely with antibiotics. Even if symptoms start out on the mild side, strep infections can be serious, and potentially life-threatening if they spread to the blood and other areas of the body. The kind of antibiotic prescribed will depend on what type of strep is present, and other health factors your doctor may take into account.

Oh and about Polly?

Thanks for asking. 

She went on antibiotics, and her and her vagina are back to their normal, healthy selves.  

I have a friend of a friend that would get chronic yeast infections. Let’s call her Polly. 

Polly would often get them after she had sex. Which was frequent. Her diet of coffee, cheese sticks, and cigarettes definitely didn’t help her system stay balanced either.

One time, thinking she had a yeast infection, she turned to her go-to treatments and creams. 

None of them worked. 

After going too long in vag-onizing discomfort, Polly finally went to the doctor.

After swabbing and testing, Polly’s doctor found out that she didn’t have a yeast infection this time after all. 

She had a strep infection. In her vagina. 

Similar to strep throat, but in her vagina!!! 

The strain of strep causing strep throat (group A) and usually discussed vaginal strep (group B strep ) are not the same strain.

I’m a little ashamed to admit that upon hearing this, I burst into laughter. Given the context and absurdity of it, I couldn’t help but crack up.

After regaining my composure, I began to ask questions. 

As a reproductive health writer and educator, I took it upon myself to dive in and find out exactly the how, what, and why of strep vaginas. 

When in Labor Land

In my work as a birth doula, I’ve worked with many clients that have had Group B Strep, or GBS, bacteria present in their vagina. If they’re birthing in a hospital, that typically means administering a round of an antibiotic, usually Penicillin, every four or so hours.

Around 25% of women have GBS in their vagina , but it’s rare that this will cause complications with the pregnancy or baby, and even rarer when antibiotics are used. 

Despite having this knowledge, it still came as a shock to me that someone could have a strep infection in their vagina. Logically of course, it makes total sense.

Understanding Strep Bacteria

If you’re familiar with the vaginal flora, and the microbiomes we have in our bodies, it probably comes at no surprise that we are hosts to a myriad of different kinds of bacteria, including streptococcus.  

There are three different groups of strep bacteria: A, B, and C. 

For the most part, people cohabitate peacefully with strep bacteria in their bodies. On occasion, it can get a little out of hand, and cause infections. 

Many of us have had strep throat, which is usually caused by Group A. Group B is most dangerous for infants, although in adults it can cause skin, blood, and bone infections.

Group C infections are rare, as it’s typically transmitted from contact with animals like cows or horses. 

How Can it Affect Your Vagina? 

For prepubescent girls, Group A strep is a recognized cause of vaginitis. Now researchers are finding that it can also affect adults with vaginas. Because of a lack of research and understanding, these women are often misdiagnosed as having vulvovaginal candidosis. A different kind of bacterial imbalance. 

Bacteria are friendly and like to get around. If someone in your household, especially someone you’re intimate with is a carrier of Group A strep, it’s possible they could transmit it to you. 

Given the high prevalence of Group B strep, it’s not usually attributed to causing infections. Even when it is present in women with vulvovaginal symptoms. Doctors are even more cautious about diagnosing on the basis of Group B strep because levels of it can vary through a woman’s menstrual cycle, and other hormonal shifts like pregnancy. 

Vaginal strep infections are rare. Given symptoms like abnormal discharge, swelling, and redness, that are similar to other vaginal infections, it can make it almost impossible to diagnose strep vagina without a bacterial culture. Even with a culture, strep isn’t usually the first thing a doctor will test for.

Meaning like Polly, people often won’t find out until initial treatments don’t work, and symptoms worsen.  

Technically called Strep A or B Vaginitis, this is not a sexually transmitted disease. However, in a small sample, researchers found that sexual contact may increase transmission of GBS amongst heterosexual couples. 

Who Gets Strep Vagina?

The risk of GBS infections increases with age. As with any infection, you are also at greater risk if you are immuno-compromised, or don’t have the healthiest lifestyle. Like our friend Polly. 

Colonization of Group A strep, is more common in people with other skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or open sores. Strep bacteria can also travel to the urethra, and cause painful urinary tract infections.

How It’s Treated

Most likely with antibiotics. Even if symptoms start out on the mild side, strep infections can be serious, and potentially life threatening if they spread to the blood and other areas of the body.

The kind of antibiotic prescribed will depend on what type of strep is present, and other health factors your doctor may take into account.

Oh and about Polly?

Thanks for asking. 

She went on antibiotics, and she and her vagina are back to their normal, healthy selves.

Facts checked by:

Dr. Alyssa Dweck

Alyssa Dweck MS, MD, FACOG is a practicing gynecologist in Westchester County, New York. She provides care to women of all ages; she has delivered thousands of babies. She is proficient in minimally invasive surgery and has special interest and expertise in female sexual health and medical sex therapy. She is top doctor in New York Magazine and Westchester Magazine. Dr. Dweck has co-authored three books including the most recent release The Complete A to Z For Your V.

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Angular cheilitis – Periodontology – “Axioma Dental”

Content

  • Causes of angular cheilitis
  • Symptoms of angular cheilitis
  • Treatment of angular cheilitis
  • Benefits

Angular cheilitis is also referred to as angular stomatitis or canker sores. This term is understood as inflammation of the skin, red border and mucous membrane in the corners of the mouth. This pathology is common in the group of children and the elderly. However, with frequent occurrence, it is necessary to exclude a number of diseases of internal organs and metabolic processes, for example, diabetes mellitus, a decrease in the functioning of the immune system, etc.

Causes of angular cheilitis

The most common causative agents are yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida, as well as streptococci. The type of pathogen determines the tactics of treatment, but concomitant factors must also be taken into account.

Predisposing factors for the formation of angular cheilitis include:

  • vitamin B deficiency;
  • diabetes mellitus;
  • skin injuries;
  • allergic reactions;
  • immunosuppression;
  • formation of folds in the corners of the mouth due to age-related changes.

These and other factors reduce the body’s resistance to various infections.

Symptoms of angular cheilitis

Typical symptoms of angular cheilitis depend on the type of pathogen, as well as the age of the patient:

  • Streptococcal congestion.

It is more common in children and is characterized by the formation of bubbles in the corners of the mouth, which gradually burst with the formation of painful erosions. Gradually, the ulcers become covered with a crust, but when the mouth is opened, they burst, which causes pain. With streptococcal seizure, soreness is noted with any movement of the lips.

  • Yeast or fungus.

This form of inflammation does not form a crust. The erosion itself is covered with a whitish coating, which is easily removed. However, it may not be noticeable when closing the mouth. Often this pathology is combined with fungal stomatitis.

Treatment of angular cheilitis

Treatment depends on the diagnosis and the identified pathogen. Therefore, it is always required to conduct an examination and some laboratory tests aimed at identifying the pathogen and its drug sensitivity.

When determining fungal inflammation, antifungal ointments are prescribed, which are used topically. When streptococcal inflammation is detected, antibiotics are used. For the speedy restoration of the skin, vitamins can be prescribed, which are not only taken orally, but also topically. In difficult cases, physiotherapy is recommended: electrophoresis, phonophoresis.

The advantage of treating angular cheilitis at the Axioma Dental Clinic

Our clinic is staffed by experienced dentists, mucosal specialists, who will quickly diagnose and offer treatment. The advantage is that our doctors consider the body as a single system and if angular cheilitis occurs frequently, they will recommend visiting doctors from other specialties to look for the cause.

In addition, caries, inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, can become a source of infection for the occurrence of streptococcal congestion. Our doctors will help eliminate the source of infection and offer a full range of dental services.