Bad taste in the mouth and decreased taste sensation are usually the first signs of thrush. White patches that resemble cottage cheese often develop inside the mouth and typically affect the tongue, palate and corners of the mouth. Patients who try to scratch these white patches may find that the skin becomes red and inflamed, and bleeding may occur. The corners of the mouth may become cracked, red and moist. Thrush can also affect the gums, tonsils and lips.

Initially, thrush may be painless. However, many individuals experience discomfort if the condition progresses, especially if the thrush has spread from the mouth to the palate or throat. Signs and symptoms of thrush can develop suddenly, and may become chronic. In severe cases, lesions may spread into the esophagus (which connects the mouth to the stomach), causing a serious condition called Candida esophagitis. Signs and symptoms of this type of thrush include pain or difficulty swallowing, sensation of food sticking in the throat or the chest, and fever (when the infection spreads past the esophagus).

Thrush is common in newborn babies and may appear about two weeks to a month after birth, or any time in the first six months. In infants, its appearance is often mistaken for milk or formula on the tongue or inner cheeks. Infants may also experience cracked skin in the corners of the mouth, and creamy, white, curd-like lesions on the tongue and inner cheeks.

Babies with thrush may also experience diaper rash as the infection spreads through the digestive tract. Irritability is also common and is most prevalent during feeding due to the mouth pain caused by thrush.

Nursing babies can pass thrush on to their mothers by infecting the nipple during breastfeeding. An infected nipple is likely to be red, cracked and sore, and the skin of the areola may be taut and shiny.

Other symptoms associated with thrush include:

• A burning sensation in the mouth and throat
• Low-grade fever
• Loss of appetite
• Presence of other illnesses
• General feeling of sickness