Who gets oral thrush?
Some people are more likely than others to get oral thrush. This is usually because they have another disease or are taking drug treatment that makes their immune system weak. [1] Your immune system helps your body fight off infections. When it isn’t working properly fungi that live in your body without causing any problems can grow out of control and cause infections. People who are more likely to get oral thrush include those with: [1] • A weak immune system from taking some medicines or other treatments, such as anti- cancer (chemotherapy) drugs, steroids, or radiotherapy • Diseases that weaken their immune system, such as AIDS and leukaemia • Diabetes: this is because thrush grows best in sweet conditions which can happen if sugar levels in the blood and saliva are too high, as can happen if your have diabetes • A severe, long-term dry mouth: thrush finds it easier to grow in your mouth where there isn’t much saliva. You can get a dry mouth when you take certain drug treatments, an
