Definition of Vaginal yeast infection:

This is a vaginal infection caused most commonly by the fungal organism Candida albicans.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Candida albicans is a widespread organism found throught the world. It exists in small amounts in the vagina, the mouth, the digestive tract, and on the skin without causing disease or symptoms (approximately 25% of women without disease symptoms have this organism present).

Symptoms appear when the number of Candida albicans becomes larger in relation to the other microorganisms that normally inhabit the vagina. Candida albicans grows when the vagina has certain favorable conditions or when it is difficult for other microorganisms to survive. This causes the imbalance that leads to a yeast infection.

Yeast infection may follow a course of antibiotics that were prescribed for another purpose. The antibiotics change the normal balance between organisms in the vagina by decreasing the number of protective bacteria.

Infection is common and most women will have a vaginal yeast infection at some time. Other causes of a vaginal yeast infection are being pregnant, having diabetes, or having conditions that affect the immune system (such as AIDS or HIV).

Vaginal candidiasis is not a sexually transmitted disease. However, 12 - 15% of men will develop symptoms such as itching and rash on the penis following sexual contact with an infected partner.

Multiple vaginal yeast infections may be a sign of other health problems. Other vaginal infections and discharges can be mistaken for a vaginal yeast infection.

Repeat infections that occur immediately following treatment, or a persistent yeast infection that does not respond to treatment, may be the first or, at least, an early sign that an individual is infected with HIV.

Both men and women with HIV infection who have developed AIDS may be subject to Candida albicans infection throughout the body, including oral candidiasis (in the mouth), esophageal candidiasis (in the esophagus), and cutaneous candidiasis (on the skin).