Commonly called "Thrush", Candida is a fungal infection found in almost every person with AIDS. It is usually seen as a whitish coating on the tongue and in the mouth, but it can spread to the esophagus and make eating or swallowing difficult or, in some cases, impossible. It is not a life-threatening problem and can be treated with a number of drugs.Symptoms to watch for include:
ΓÇó Soreness or a 'burnt" feeling in the mouth or on the tongue
ΓÇó Painful or difficult swallowing
ΓÇó The presence of white patches on the tongue or back of the mouth which cannot be removed with a toothbrush
If these symptoms occur, rinse you mouth every two to three hours with a warm solution of salt and water (about 1 tsp of salt to 8 ozs. of water) and see your doctor as soon as possible. Unless difficulty in eating is experienced, "Thrush" is not an emergency situation.