Concept and Etiology: How does the disease affect the reproductive and urinary
systems in particular? How does it deviate from the definition of health discussed in
Module One?
Candidiasis is commonly known as a yeast infection. Candidiasis is a fungal
infection caused by a type of fungus called candida. “Candida normally lives on the
skin and inside the body, in places like the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina without
causing any problems” (Centre for Disease Control, 2020). When there is abnormal
levels of candida, this results in candidiasis.
An untreated yeast infection usually causes vaginitis. “Vaginitis is a medical term
used to describe various disorders that cause infection or inflammation of the
vagina. Vulvoginitis refers to inflammation of both the vagina and vulva, the
external female genitals” (Cleveland clinic, 2018).
Yeast infections typically don’t affect the urinary system; however, yeast infection
symptoms can resemble that of a UTI. For example, burning sensation. (Eske,
2019)
Candidiasis deviates from health, because we all have the fungus candida in our
bodies. This yeast becomes unhealthy and cause very uncomfortable symptoms
when there is yeast overgrowth.
Classifications:
Candidiasis is not classified as a Sexually Transmitted Infection STI)
Yeast infection caused by a fungus
Clinical Manifestations: (Signs and Symptoms)
Signs
oThick, white vaginal discharge
oValvular erythema-redness or irritation of the vulva (outer part of female
genitals)
oValvular edema- vulva swelling
oWhite patches on the vaginal wall
Symptoms
oGenital pain
oVaginal itching and burning
oDysuria- pain or burning sensation when urinating
oPainful sexual intercourse
Diagnostic Tests:
Physical Examination
Pelvic Examination
oMen- Seminal Vesicles and prostate
oWomen- Vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and or ovaries
Discharge Culture- “A test used to find germs such as bacteria or fungus that can
cause infections” (Healthwise, 2020).
https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/index.html
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9131-vaginitis
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326010
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=stc123799&
