What can you do as a prevention not to get infected? | How contagious are yeast fungi?

What can you do as a prevention not to get infected?

In the case of infections with yeast fungi, it must be remembered that these are usually due to the reproduction of the body’s own, already existing fungal colonization, and less to the infection in other affected persons. For example, condoms do not protect against vaginal mycosis. However, it may be useful to treat the partner as well, in order to avoid a constant ping-pong effect in the event of asymptomatic colonization of the partner.

To prevent infection in skin folds, the skin should always be thoroughly dried after washing and excessive sweating and rubbing should be prevented, for example by inserting dry cotton cloths. To prevent vaginal mycosis, the intimate area should be cleaned once a day with warm water or a pH-neutral washing lotion and then wiped with a clean towel. When going to the toilet, care should also be taken to always wipe from front to back to prevent the introduction of fungi from the intestine into the vagina.

Is a yeast fungus in the intestine contagious?

Yeast fungi such as Candida albicans not infrequently attack the intestinal mucosa even in healthy individuals without causing symptoms. In women, the fungus can also enter the vagina through the close orifices of the intestine and vagina and cause a vaginal fungus there. During sexual intercourse, smear infections can also cause transmission of the yeast fungus from the intestine to the sexual partner. Without close interpersonal contact (i. e.R. Traffic), for example when using a common toilet, infection is not possible.

What is the transmission path?

Basically, yeast fungi are transmitted by smear and contact infections, i.e. by direct contact from person to person or contact with pathogenic, infectious secretions such as saliva or vaginal secretion. The way in which yeast fungi are transmitted from person to person depends on the localization of the fungal colonization. If the yeast fungus is located in the mouth of an infected person, it can be transmitted by kissing, for example.

The fungus can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse if the intestine or vagina is infected. Nevertheless, the vaginal fungus is not to be called a venereal disease in the strict sense (see below). Transmission through infected skin areas (often skin folds such as armpits, groin or the area under the breast are affected) is also conceivable, but plays a rather minor role in practice.

In the worst case, an infection with yeast fungi such as Candida via contaminated hands of staff or equipment is also possible in hospital. This mainly affects seriously ill patients in intensive care units. In general, it is difficult to differentiate whether a newly occurring symptomatic infection with yeast fungi comes from inside the patient (endogenous infection), i.e. the patient was previously asymptomatically colonized with Candida and is now able to reproduce unchecked due to a weakened immune system of the fungus; or whether the newly occurring symptoms are due to the infection in a contact person (exogenous infection).