Hi there,
Wondering if anyone can help me with a question of how thrush can be transmitted. My boyfriend, who is not a candida sufferer as far as we know, has just been diagnosed with oral thrush after a period of not enough sleep/generally being run-down. I have candida but have not noticed any oral thrush symptoms, although I was battling with vaginal yeast infection until recently. So my question is whether this is a coincidence (he had oral thrush once earlier when he was run down due to glandular fever) or is it more likely that I have transmitted it to him? And if so, would it most likely have been by oral contact (ie. kissing) or by oral sex?

Also, would there be any ways I could prevent it from happening in the future? I'm worried that even though I don't have any noticeable symptoms of either type of thrush at the moment, I might still be infectious to some extent... Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Hi Annabel,

Was it mononucleosis that your boyfriend had? There is a strong connection between mono, candida and metal toxicity...I highly doubt that you could pass the thrush to him.

Have either of you done the Whole Approach questionaire to see if you could be dealing with an candida problem? I would see how that turns out, maybe you could both benefit from a candida treatment.

Keep us posted as to how it turns out, OK?

Sandi

Hi Sandi,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, it was mononucleosis he had (also known as glandular fever over here). I'm not sure what you mean by the link between metal toxicity and mono/candida. If you could clarify/expand upon this that would be very helpful.

Just to clarify, this bout of oral thrush that he has, occured after a few days of ulcers on his throat, which he has had ~10 times in the past, with no useful diagnosis from the doctor (clean blood test, not sure about swab, but he's had one this time). In the past, the doctors have prescribed steroidal pellets (Corlan) which have helped clear up the ulcers, suggesting that they were not thrush related (as I understand it, steroids would actually promote the thrush growth).

Additionally, about 7-8 years ago, for ~2 years on/off he had CFS (Chronic Fatigue Sydrome)/ME-type symptoms, and many tests although nothing was diagnosed at the time, and he eventually got over them, although has had a propensity to be susceptible to whatever illnesses have been going round (especially if he's been tired/run-down).

As for the candida questionnaire, I have taken it and am following the candida diet plus supplements. We have never considered the possibility that my boyfriend might have candida. He is a bit sceptical to the idea of embarking on treatment without any medical diagnosis/testing, but will try to convince him to do the questionnaire all the same and see. It should be noted that he is generally very active and healthy.

Right, this is turning into our life histories here so will stop but would love to hear people's thoughts!

Thanks,
Anne

Hi Anne

I don't think oral thrush is passed on by contact, but rather is always present and can overgrow at times of stress or illness(same as intestinal or vaginal candida).

When I first started to get ill, my research showed that my symptoms were in line with ME or post viral syndrome too, so I would seriously ask you boyfriend to do the questionnaire(it could be very enlightening!) I was very wary of taking treatment without the support of the medical profession, but after a while of being told I was severely depressed(I knew I wasn't) and suffering from asthma(it turned out to be food intolerance related) I lost faith. Of course, he could visit a naturopathic doctor for more info. Anyway, you can't tell someone when its time for them to make conclusions or embark on the healing process that is right for them, and it can be quite frustrating when its someone dear to you. I guess you just have to concentrate on getting yourself well, giving what support you can and leading by example! When he sees how much better you are feeling and how much more energy you have, he might want in!!!

Anyway good luck! Oh, and Kolorex(the company that make the antifungal containing horopito and aniseed) also make a tea that is very soothing for oral thrush. I've just had an attack of it(entirely my own fault for eating absolute rubbish while on holiday, doh!) and it really helped. Also gargling with a few drops of tee tree oil in water will really help to clear up ulcers and the thrush and make the whole area feel less icky. Hope this helps

xsamx

Hi Anne, I have a couple of websites that explain the connection to mercury/candida and mononucleosis. If you would like me to send them to you, just send me an email requesting them, and I will be glad to forward them on to you.

And as Sam so wisely advised you, the Kolorex tea and gargling with teatree oil in warm water is tremendous to beat thrush, really works a treat.

Sandi

Anne,
Just wanted to let you know that I had Mono nine years ago and two years after that I had develped a severe Candida problem. The virus that causes Mono can stay in the body and flare up at times. I also had what a regular MD would diagnose as Chronic Mono/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. When I was at my worst I would get mouthfuls of ulcers. I still battle a lot with the Candida symtoms (especially vaginally), but haven't had an ulcer in a long time. Even if he does not have Candida right now, it would be very good to take a preventative approach.
Hope that helps!!

Sandi,
I would be interested in reading the info on the sites you have found - ewmartin96@hotmail.com
Thanks
Wendy

Hi Annebl,

Your question about whether yeast/candida can be spread sexually has been pondered by me for years. I've tried researching this issue and am aware that there is alot of controversy on whether it, indeed, can be spread this way.

I'm in the camp that believes that it can be spread that way to a person that might be susceptible to a "fungal invasion" for lack of a better term. I have no scientific or academic proof to back this belief. All I know is that when I have very severe symptoms or my husband has very severe symptoms, we've been known to make each others' symptoms worse.

Sandi, I sent ya an email for that info you have on mono candida/mercury.

Wendy, I was really interested to read what you wrote as well. I've got Mono now and it's seems to be taking forever for it to go away. Thanks for sharing.

Hugs to you all,
Sharon

Hi Anne,

Here is a link to a post about CRC and how it develops.

How did I get Candidiasis?

Candida Related Complex is not a contagious condition. However the genital yeast can be contagious for some. east does not become a problem for us just because someone else who is having a problem keeping their yeast population under control kisses us or makes love to us. It is a disease that I do not see as contagious. Genital yeast is different and it can be passed back and forth causing troublesome topical issues but this problem does not then travel into the rest of the body. You may have yeast or fungus in the body and then develop it in the genital area but I do not believe that it works the other way around.

Oral candida is another issue again and I'm not one hundred percent certain about the medical opinion on this one. It may be contagious in the way that genital yeast is contagious. It's possible that someone with oral thrush could pass thrush along oral thrush to someone who doesn't have it. However, this will not in itself cause CRC by any means. If you already struggle with CRC yourself you might be more susceptible to developing thrush through an exposure to it. I would protect yourself just to be sure by using tea tree oil as mouthwash. Your partner can use it as well to help treat his condition.

As for the safety of oral sex in the case of thrush, you may develop vaginal yeast issues if you have genital contact with oral thrush but you may not as well. This will likely depend on your overal level of health and the health of your vaginal flora (friendly bacteria levels.)

Take good care,

TLC

Thanks to all of you for your helpful replies!! I convinced my boyfriend to do the questionnaire and his score was actually very low so I guess candida might not be his problem after all...His thrush is now gone, but as I felt a sore throat coming on I gargled with tea tree oil (thanks for the tip!) and it disappeared again--I guess meaning that it might have been the onset of oral thrush for me too!? It's interesting that there is no certain evidence for or against transmission of yeast in one area to another, but I am glad to hear that the general opinion is that it is unlikely! It seems like another thing one does not want to have to worry about-it's enough worrying about making yourself sick without adding others to the picture! In any case, it's great to have found a place to be able to ask all these "strange" questions!
Thanks! Anne