Introduction

• Candida is a yeast that lives everywhere in the body. Also known as Candida albicans, it is a fungus that is controlled by a healthy immune system. However, someone with an illness that suppresses the immune system may not be able to control the growth of candida in their bodies. This results in an infection which, if left untreated, can be deadly in extreme cases. It is important to understand the stages of candida to ensure proper treatment is administered before it reaches dangerous levels.
  
  

Overview of Candida Infections

• A candida infection is usually an indicator of another illness in the body, such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS or cancer. It is also caused by the use of antibiotics, which kill healthy bacteria in the body that normally keep candida from growing out of control. While the infection normally begins in the mouth, it can spread to the esophagus and gastrointestinal system, affecting many major organs, making it potentially deadly.
  
  

Stages of Candida

• There are five stages of candida infection. In stage one, the mouth, vagina, nose and respiratory system can be affected. When these mucous membranes are infected, they can have side effects such as itching, rash, strep throat, and bronchitis, which are all usually treated by antibiotics. Due to the fact that antibiotics cause candida to flourish, the primary candida infection grows stronger, leading to stage two candida. In this stage, other tissues of the body are affected, including the muscles and joints. Persons in this stage may experience fatigue and headaches. Since these ailments are usually treated with pain killers, the candida is allowed to continue to grow unabated as an underlying illness. In stage three of a candida infection, brain function is affected, causing an inability to concentrate on simple tasks or the ability to remember things. Physical symptoms include muscle twitching, disturbed sleep patterns and seizures. In the fourth stage, the candida infection begins to attack the body's organs and immune system. As the infection takes over, these systems begin to fail and a suppressed immune system leaves the patient vulnerable to other diseases and infections. In the fifth and final stage of candida, the infection has reached a lethal point and the patient is not likely to recover. It is important to see a physician regularly to prevent an infection from candida. When doctors are able to catch the infection in its early stages, they are more likely to be able to treat it before it is too late.