Thrush?! - Reeds Spring,MO

My two year old son contacted it recently. I believe that it is contagious, however, my doctor didn't think that my son would pass it to the three year old I babysit because unless their immune system is already weakened, children over 1 year old aren't supposed to get it. They were really suprised that my two year old had it and decided that it was because of the old pacifiers he was still using and the germs that build up in those. They gave him medicine and we threw away all of the old pacifiers and sippy cups. It cleared up immediately.

HI
both of my children had thrush and ITS VERY CONTAGIOUS. please see a doctor so they can give you medine for it. I used a home remedy honey and lemon on a towel and wiped the whole interior of the mouth.

MOM OF A 4YRS OF DAUGHTER AND 2YR OLD BOY.

thrush is not contagious, I've had lots of expierience with it, I get it every time I have antibiotics it is nothing more than yeast in the mouth. good luck!!!

I hope this helps. I can't believe your sis-in-law would expose her children to your baby or your 2 year old. Make sure you keep watching them for symptons. Nothing like adding to your day and lack of sleep that you are already dealing with. Take Care.

What You Need To Know About Thrush
Breastfeeding mothers who have a baby with thrush may get a yeast infection on their breasts and nipples, causing pain while breastfeeding. In addition to getting treatment for their baby, these mothers also need to be treated by their doctor.

Children get thrush because the Candida albicans yeast is ubiquitous or everywhere, so no matter how carefully you clean and sterilize pacifiers, bottles, toys, etc., your baby will likely still be exposed to this yeast. Still, you should carefully clean any objects that go into your child's mouth.

If your baby gets thrush over and over, be sure that he isn't overusing a pacifier or bottle, which may be causing the insides of his mouth to be overly moist and cracking, which provides the perfect environment for yeast to grow. You might also get rid of and buy new nipples and pacifiers once the infection clears up.

In older children, especially if they haven't recently been on antibiotics or steroids, thrush can be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or an immune system disorder.

Infants with thrush that doesn't go away or keeps coming back can also be associated with immune system problems, especially if your infant isn't gaining weight well or has other infections and medical problems.

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/childhoodinfections/a/thru...

I've had a bit of experience with Thrush. I had it with my first (breastfed) baby for 9 months off and on and then again for 6 months off and on. With my second baby I had it for about a month, but I knew more what I was doing... Anyway, it is contagious, and it is terrible for a breastfeeding mom and hard to get rid of (in a breastfeeding couple), so I would recommend doing something to prevent it, because it is much easier to get rid of before you gets symptoms and it gets a hold. Take acidopholis (get it in the refridge section at a natural food store, they're good, you can give them to your 2 year old if you're concerned), eat yogurt, wipe nipples after nursing with a vinegar/water solution (never wash your nipples with soap when nursing--and certainly not that often--it gets rid of the natural cleaning oils your nipples make while you are breastfeeding), wash toys, change your breastpads/wash your bra frequently... look it up, here's some info... http://www.llli.org/NB/NBMayJun93p83.html look at the part about preventing recurrences...

Thrush is a yeast infection, if you get symptoms, step up the measures you are already doing and go to the doctor for both you and your baby even if only one of you have symptoms.

I wouldn't worry too much about your 2 year old. It is usually something that happens to people with weakened immune systems or people who have recently taken antibiotics, but it is fairly common in a breastfeeding relationship, since breastmilk makes warm moist environment with sugar, so it's the perfect place for thrush to thrive. My older daughter was still nursing when my second one got thrush, and even though she was still nursing she didn't get it... I guess her immune system was much stronger.

I hope you don't have to deal with it much, you can head it off. If you do have problems, I recommend calling your local La Leche League leader, seeing your doctor and hitting it as hard as you can!

K..

Thrush is a little contagious. Basically it is a yeast infection in the mouth. If you see white bumps in the mouth take your child to the doctor. Your son should not get it who is breast feeding.

I have A LOT of experience with Thrush. All my kids had it, my first born had it the worst, it lasted for three months! HOWEVER, I learned a lot too. Thrush is contagious, it is a type if yeast infection, it can be in both the mouth and in the diaper area. In the mouth it looks like white patches that won't wash off, in the diaper area it starts as a red spotty looking rash, but can quickly explode into a bright red swollen looking rash with some cracking and bleeding (worst case) The mouth can be cleared up pretty easy talk to your docotor or pharmasist. I found that for diaper area Thrush, the best cure included washing the area with a vinegar solution 1 TBSP vingar to 8 oz. water, I used a anifungal mix of a pea sized dab of monistat 7 and a pea sized dab of Lotrimin AF. Do not use baby wipes. Wet wash cloth, paper towel or spray bottle are best. You can get Thrush on your nipples if you are breastfeeding and the baby get's it. Expose to sun light, I used monistat on my nipples, but you have to wipe it off before nursing. The best defense is of course wash wash wash. Everything that goes into a thrush baby's mouth must be washed to prevent reinfection. No sharing cups! Yogurt, garlic, olive oil. and acidolpholus(sp) are excellent all natural anti fungals. It is a good idea to talk to your docotor if you think the kids have it. There is a lot of information about thrush out there, all this worked for me finally. Being exposed doesn't mean infection, but you are right,it bears watching:)

K. - A great source about thrush or any illness is going to Walgreen's website. (www.walgreens.com) and use their Health Center Library - this covers everything about what it is and treatment. It gives you professional and self-help treatments if available and when to contact your doctor. Here is the link for "thrush" at Walgreens.
http://www.walgreens.com/library/contents.html?docid=0006... - Hope this helps.

I received an antibiotic during the birth of my 8y/o. I breastfed and he was soon diagnosed with thrush aka mouth yeast. The dr gave us something to put on my nipples and in his mouth.

If your daughter was drinking after your friends girls she could get it. I highly doubt your 3 month old would get it from them since he wasnt drinking after them cause he is nursing. A baby can get it if they or even you have been on antibiotics or even just from breastmilk or formula sitting in their mouth for too long. And if he gets it he can transmit it to your breast, so both of you would have to be on an anti fungal medication. His symptoms would be white patches inside his mouth and your would be itchy and sore nipples. Hope this helps!

you can transfer thrush from person to persons,Good luck

From what I understand, Thrush is like a yeast infection, only in the mouth. Just make sure they do not share toys that have been in the mouth and cups and that sort.

DOn't know why anyone else has said beyond yes it's contagious....if baby does wind up with it just make sure you wash your bras in hot water and put nystantin/gentian violet on your nipples too or you'll just give it back to him! Get a

I don't believe that thrush is contagious but if they will eat yogurt it's a good way to help get rid of it and the best part is its good for them anyway.

Thrush is contagious. I took some antibiotics while breast feeding and my daughter got thrush becuase of the anitbiotics in my breast milk. If your breast start to hurt/itch VERY bad while breast feeding your son may have it, and you should go to the doctor. Anything that their mouths come in contact with needs to be sterolized because they can re-infect themselves if it isn't cleaned good after they use it. For your daughter and son keep an eye out for white patches in thier mouth. Your daughter's imune system may be able to fight it off, but just look out for the white patches in her mouth. If they get the white patches then they probably have it, and you should take them to the doctor. I hope all goes well and that they don't get it. It was no fun when my new born daughter (who is now 2.5) and I had it. God Bless.

Thrush is very contagious. It is pretty painful and can be spread easily through sharing things. It is spread through sharing drinks, etc. sharing saliva, or babies mouthing the same toys. I would watch your kids closely.

Yes, thrush is contagious. It is a yeast infection in the mouth. Since it is a yeast infection, it can appear other places if your girls where to get it. Keep an eye out for the white patches in the mouth as well as a red, raw looking diaper rash that does not respond to creams. Your sister and you should also be aware of the more adult form of a yeast infection. It is highly contagious and can be a vicious cycle of passing back and forth. As with anything else, lots and lots of hand washing! Good luck!

H. W

Very contagious. It is painless for babies because they only drink milk, but for older people ouch. If I were you I would start giving my kids a lot of yogurt to see if just maybe they don't get it. (It is just a yeast infection in the mouth). If they start having white stuff in their mouth or complaining of pain, the treatment from the DR is just a swishing med or a pill if that doesn't work. Good Luck.

Hi K.. When my daughter was born, my midwife recommended wiping the baby's mouth with apple cider vinegar before and after feedings. Apparently this prevents thrush and other such problems. I did not try it because, frankly, it seemed a bit rough.
However, I did purchase liquid probiotics from whole foods. They taste delicious and it was able to fight off any problems in that area.
I give it to my now 2 1/2 year old any time she has chocolate or sugar (which I don't allow too much of). It's good for her!

-- I am a family chiropractor and mom of a 2.5 year old girl.

I was just speaking with a very well respected physician about thrush, and since my children are way past that, I didn't hang on to everything he said, but the reason I wanted to respond was there are natural ways to cure that. You do not have to put the kiddoes on antibiotics, which upset the good flora in their gut and can end up giving little girls a yeast infection.

Hi,

My 1 of my children had it once, but only when they were babies.

My advice for the next few days.... load the kids up on some yogurt along with yourself. This will keep you from getting it. Brush your teeth and your kids teeth with mouth was, just pour some in a cap and dip them in there and then brush with toothpaste. Also run the cups thru the dishwasher. Disinfect anything they may have touched also.

Try feeding your two-year old lots of yogurt (something about the cultures keeps the bacteria in balance), and maybe you'll head it off! (I'm pretty sure that thrush is caused when natural bacteria that we all have get out of control.)

K..... first of all.... stop letting the kids drink after each other... there are far worse things they can get from another person then thrush! Thrush is an oral yeast infection and is and usually happens after someone take antibotics, which wipes out the "good bactria" that pervents the overgrowth of yeast in the mouth. The treatment is easy, but no fun to have. Most likely your kids won't get it if their immune system is normal and their oral normal flora has not been depleted.

V.

It is very contagious. You may need to call your Dr to get a perscription for Nystatin which is just an antifungal liquid that you just use a Q-Tip to apply on the infected area. unfortunatley that includes your son and your nipples. My daughter was on a powerful antibotic when she was first born and got it. It was alot of fun!!!

Thrush is a fungus that needs to be treated with an anti-fungal.
Yes, it is contagious, if the girls really were drinking from the same cup. My son had thrush in his mouth at age 19 months and was treated with Pediazole, however, we discovered he's allergic to that medication, so he had to have another type of anti-fungal agent. There are so many new ones around now, I wouldn't know what you might expect to get from your child's pediatrician. You can also try drinking acidophilus, a kind of milk.

A little about me:
53 yr old grandma wannabe, retired from teaching after 30 years, but still run a day care part time.

My son had Thrush for a very long time due to antibiotics and the doctor told me that it is very contageous. Treating it is very simple. I would just keep an eye on the kids and make sure that they are not drinking after each other and if you notice any white spots in their mouths, get them to the doctor. You can use over the counter treatments but they are a lot messier and don't solve the problem as quickly as prescribed meds. Definately keep an eye on the 3 mo old as he can transfer the thrush to you (if I remember correctly).

Yes it is contagious and could spread to your breasts since you are nursing. I would take everyone to the doctor to be safe.

K., I don't think it is contagious I have thrush whenever I take antibiotics and no one in the house has ever gotten it. It starts with a sore throat and then you feel like your tongue is burned. Yogurt is a great idea.
J.

have girls w/ thrush rinse their mouth w/ pepto bismol. it helps

Hi K.! Thrush is contagious and it sucks. Since, you've already been exposed start taking acidophilus pills (the natural probiotic in yogurt that prevents yeast infections) and give some liquid acidophilus to your baby. You can get both of these at your local health food stores and sometimes even Wal-mart or Dillons. I'm a breastfeeding mom of a 2 year old and this is what I do everytime we've been exposed. It's safe, natural and way healthier then taking an anit-fungal... and best of all it works, IMMEDIATELY!!! Also, it won't hurt to take it now even before you have symptoms of thrush. Good Luck!
K.

Yes, thrush is contagious, especially amongst kids!!!! I know when my son was in day care it was nearly a monthly thing in the baby section...once one got it they all seemed to get it b/c they were teething on the same toys.

I remember them asking us to bring toothbrushes for the kiddos. And the room was separated with those who had it and those who didn't...sort of spreads like mono...got to have the saliva contact. I remember there being white in my sons mouth and sometimes sores. You can give them tylenol or motrin for the sores. You'll need to contact your pedictrican for the thrush...I seem to recall there being some special toothpaste we had to use or an antibiotic to get rid of it.

For those who are nursing, you need to wash your breasts with warm soap and water after EVERY feeding and put the laolin cream on them or you will get mastitis. I know because it happened twice to my best friend!

Yogurt alone, will NOT control this. See your Dr.

Yes it is contagious. Do they know it is thrush, or could it be strep. If it ws mild case have you kids eat yogurt, Dr. will tell you this. Look for sores in there mouth or them compalining of sore throat . Look at tongue and throatis if they look red or blisters? Have them put yogurt in there mouth and swish around. If they seem to be uncomfortable call Dr. and let him know they were aroung the kids wth thrush,there is a medicine they give orally to just swish in there mouths. Did she for sure know they had thrush, taken them to dr.? Because it could be strep either way they can catch. This was not smart on your siter-in-law to bring her children amoung yours , unless she didn't know then. If her kids have they should be on meds.Try to ward off with lots f yogurt. Dr will advise if he doesn't get to them soon use yogurt till you are sure! I have had many times,You can have from to muc antibitocs,ect Good Luck with you kids J.