Candida esophagitis is a yeast infection in the throat caused by Candida albicans, which can lead to pain and difficulty swallowing. It is common in people with weakened immune systems and can be confirmed through tests such as an EGD. Treatment involves antifungal medication.
Candida esophagitis is a yeast infection that occurs in a person’s throat. The most common symptoms of Candida esophagitis include pain and difficulty swallowing. Oral thrush, or a yeast infection in the mouth, is another common symptom of Candida esophagitis.
The infection is caused by Candida albicans, the yeast responsible for other types of yeast infections on the body. People who have weakened immune systems due to diseases such as HIV, leukemia or diabetes or due to medical treatments such as chemotherapy are at increased risk of developing Candida esophagitis. They usually become infected after getting oral thrush, as the yeast travels from the mouth to the throat.
Signs of oral thrush include white lesions in a person’s mouth, typically on the tongue and inside the cheeks. Some people may also have lesions on the palate or tonsils. If abraded, the lesions tend to bleed. If thrush spreads to the throat and develops into Candida esophagitis, a person is likely to have lesions along their esophagus as well.
Lesions in the throat can make swallowing difficult. It may feel like food or something else has lodged in a person’s esophagus. In some cases, food may actually get stuck in the throat.
A person who has difficulty swallowing usually also experiences pain when trying to swallow. Pain can occur in the upper or lower esophagus, where the esophagus connects to the stomach. Some patients experience pain that is very similar to heartburn.
If Candida esophagitis is left untreated, symptoms can worsen. A fever is usually a sign that the infection has spread to other areas of the body, such as the lungs or liver. In severe cases, perforations can form in the esophagus, which can lead to trouble breathing and further upper chest infections. Surgery is needed to fix a hole in the esophagus.
The infection is usually confirmed through a series of tests, including an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), during which a small camera is inserted down the patient’s throat. During the procedure, the patient is sedated and should feel nothing. Occasionally, a doctor will also perform a biopsy of the esophagus during an EGD. X-rays or a culture taken from the throat can also confirm an infection in the esophagus.
Candida esophagitis can usually be resolved with antifungal medications, taken by mouth or through an intravenous needle. Because the infection commonly occurs in people who have low immune function, prolonged treatment may be needed.
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