| Main Entry: | yeast infection |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a disease characterized by itching and irritation of the vagina, vulva, or other mucous membranes, with a yeasty-smelling discharge; also called candidiasis |
yeast infection
infectiousinfectious disease produced by the yeastlike fungus Candida albicans and closely related species. A common inhabitant of the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract, Candida ordinarily causes no ill effects, except among infants and in persons debilitated by illness such as diabetes. There is evidence that prolonged treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol and the tetracyclines, may predispose to the development of candidiasis, perhaps by killing off normal microbial antagonists to the fungus.
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