Jeannette Uwimana, 25, sits quietly at a polyclinic at Sainte Famille in Kigali. She is crestfallen and avoids talking to anyone. It is clear that she is very uncomfortable about something.

"I have been experiencing pain for the last one month in the mouth. First I thought it was because of changing my body lotion, but the situation got out of hand when I started seeing small cracks on the inner lining of the mouth,” says Uwimana with a tinge of pain in her voice.

She says she had been diagnosed with candidiasis and that was her second check-up.

Dr Daniel Gahungu, a general practitioner at Sainte Famille, explains that candidiasis affects everyone, but it’s more common in women.

"The main cause is a fungal infection which can affect the skin, genitals, throat, mouth and blood. It is caused by the overgrowth of a type of yeast-like fungus called candida albicans. This yeast is normally found in small quantities in the human body,” he says.

According to a recent research conducted by Mayo Clinic, 3 out of 4 women will experience a yeast infection at one point in their lives. And once one gets a yeast infection, they are more likely to get another one.

The research adds that vaginal yeast infections can be spread by sexual contact, but in general they aren’t considered a sexually transmitted infection. Treatment for yeast infections is relatively simple, depending on how severe they are. 

What’s Candidiasis?

Also known as vaginal yeast infection, it’s caused by fungus called candida and it is always accompanied by severe itching, irritation and swelling. People with HIV/AIDS are at risk of developing the disease because they have low immunity. 

Elderly people and infants are also most likely to be affected by oral candidiasis, according to Gahungu.

He notes that in most cases, candidiasis manifests as creamy white patches in the mouth or on the throat and sometimes with painful cracks at the corners of the lips, between the fingers, the throat and under the breasts.

"One can also experience vaginal itching and irritation accompanied with a white discharge. This is a clear sign for vaginal yeast infection,” he says.

Pregnancy, being overweight, having a bacterial infection, or several different health conditions are other causes which may weaken the immune system, leading to contraction of the disease.

Prevention and management

To prevent the condition, Gahungu advises that one should feed on foods with low sugar content as it keeps the yeast infection at bay. One should also stay away from dairy products, alcohol as well as cheese. 

He points out that, natural antifungal and immune strengthening therapies should be used in prevention of the infection.

Gahungu explains that management of the infection includes using drugs like antibiotics, corticosteroids and some birth control pills.

According to Dr Janvier Rusizana of La Nouvelle Clinic in Remera, Kigali, keeping proper hygiene is of paramount importance in preventing the disease.

He also says the skin should be kept dry and exposed to air to prevent the infection.

"Anti fungal ointments and creams should be used in treating the condition. And for the severe infection, anti fungal medication taken orally becomes important in treating it,” he says.

Vitamin C is also essential as it helps in reducing the inflammation thus keeping the immune system strong. Another natural treatment includes essential fatty acids.

Rusizana, however, warns against using harmful antibiotics, saying one should first seek consultation from physician before using any medication.