Medical Edge: Antibiotics may trigger throat fungus

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Medical Edge: Antibiotics may trigger throat fungus

10/26/2007

Post-Bulletin - Rochester,MN*

Tribune Media Services

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp

?z=10 & a=313344

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I'm in my mid-40s and three years ago I developed

a yeast infection in my throat, which the doctor attributed to

antibiotic use. I now get this type of infection every time I'm

placed on antibiotics. I have been HIV tested and the results are

negative. What type of treatment should I seek to strengthen my

immune system?

ANSWER: The condition you describe sounds like oral thrush, an

infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans and often called a

yeast infection. This fungus can proliferate when antibiotics kill

the normal bacteria in our throats. In the allergy clinic, we

regularly see oral thrush in patients who use corticosteroid

inhalers to treat asthma. Thrush also may occur after steroids are

taken by mouth or by injection, and in older adults and people with

compromised immune systems.

Rather than seeking to strengthen your immune system, it may be more

effective to consider ways to decrease your use of antibiotics, as

they may be triggering the fungal infection in your throat. If you

haven't already done so, work with your doctor to determine why you

take antibiotics. Conditions such as allergic rhinitis and viral

infections may not require antibiotics.

Several medical conditions may increase your susceptibility to oral

thrush. You mention that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been

ruled out, but another underlying medical condition -- such as

diabetes, cancer or a rare immunodeficiency disorder -- could be the

culprit. In addition, factors such as dentures, previous

chemotherapy or head and neck radiation may predispose a person to

developing oral thrush. If you have any of these risk factors, talk

to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk and help prevent the

infection. For example, if you use inhaled steroids for asthma,

after each medication use rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and

spit it out.

To return to your original question: there's no proven safe and

effective way to boost your immune system to fight this type of

infection. Altering your body's entire immune system to combat oral

thrush may be more than you really need and could be accompanied by

unanticipated adverse side effects. Antifungal medications can

usually control the condition. Although research hasn't shown

conclusive evidence supporting their use, some reports suggest that

eating unsweetened yogurt or taking acidophilus capsules or liquid

may help restore your body's natural balance of bacteria, which may

have been disturbed by antibiotic use. -- Hagan, M.D., Allergic

Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.