Health Encyclopedia

Home | List of Topics | General Medical Information | Infectious Diseases

Candida esophagitis

Definition

Candida esophagitis is a fungal or yeast infection of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

See also:

• Candida-associated diaper dermatitis
• Candidiasis - oral
• Vaginal candidiasis

Alternative Names

Candida infection - esophagus; Yeast infection - esophagus

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Candida esophagitis is caused by the yeast Candida. It occurs when the yeast spreads from the mouth down the esophagus.

The condition is often a sign of a weakened immune system. The following raise your risk for Candida infections:

• AIDS
• Chemotherapy
• Diabetes
• Leukemia or lymphoma
• Organ transplants
• Other conditions that suppress or weakened the immune system

Oral thrush or yeast infection makes an immunocompromised person more likely to get esophagitis.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Fever if the fungus spreads further
• Painful swallowing
• Possible Candida in the mouth (oral thrush, with white mouth sores)

Signs and tests

Tests that show Candida include:

• EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) with or without biopsy, staining, and culture
• Throat swab culture
• Upper GI and small bowel series

Treatment

Antifungal medicines, taken by mouth or injection, are prescribed.

Expectations (prognosis)

Esophagitis can usually be treated effectively. The outcome depends upon the underlying immune system problem that makes the person susceptible to the infection.

Complications

• Holes in the esophagus
• Recurrent infection
• Spread of Candida to other sites

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of esophagitis, especially if you know that you are immunosuppressed.

Prevention

Preventing AIDS avoids opportunistic infections, such as Candida. Opportunistic infections are infections by organisms that are not normally disease producing, but take advantage of a situation, such as a damaged immune system.

Good oral hygiene can reduce the risk of infection.

Review Date:11/1/2007
Reviewed By:Kenneth M. Wener, M.D., Department of Infectious Diseases, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.