Invasive candidiasis
If you have a weakened immune system there is a risk that the candida fungus will spread into your blood. The infection can then quickly spread throughout your body affecting many of your organs. This type of infection is known as invasive candidiasis.
Known risk factors for invasive candidiasis include:
- having HIV
- having type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- taking immunosuppressants – a type of medication that is used to stop the body rejecting newly donated organs
- undergoing high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- having a central venous catheter (CVC) – a tube that is directly implanted into your chest and used to administer medication; they are often used in order to avoid repeated painful injections during a long-term course of medication
- having dialysis – a type of treatment where a machine is used to replicate the functions of the kidney and is commonly used to treat kidney failure
The symptoms of invasive candidiasis can be wide ranging, depending on what part of the body is affected by infection. However, initial symptoms of infection can include:
- a high temperature (fever) of or above 38ºC (101.4ºF)
- shivering
- nausea
- headache
Get medical help immediately if you have thrush and any of the risk factors listed above, and you develop any of the above symptoms over a short period of time.
Invasive candidiasis is a medical emergency that requires immediate admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). In an ICU, the functions of the body can be supported while the underlying infection is treated with injections of anti-fungal medications.
If you are thought to be particularly vulnerable to invasive candidiasis – for example, you have diabetes and you are on dialysis, your GP may recommend that you are admitted to hospital as a precaution if you develop a thrush infection.
