Thrush (Oral Candida Infection) (Child)

Home care

• Antifungal medicine for thrush is often given as a liquid or pills. Follow your child's health care provider's instructions for giving this medicine to your child.

• Breastfeeding mothers may develop thrush on their nipples. If you breastfeed, both you and your child should be treated to prevent passing the infection back and forth.

• Wash your hands well with clean, running water and soap before and after caring for your child. Have your child wash their hands often.

• Follow your provider's instructions for cleaning pacifiers, bottle nipples, and cups. Some providers recommend boiling while others recommend washing with soap and water.

• If your child takes inhaled corticosteroids, have your child rinse their mouth after taking the medicine. Also ask the child's provider about using a spacer, which can help reduce the risk for thrush.

• Unless their provider instructs otherwise, your child can go to school or daycare.

Follow-up care

Follow up as advised by your child's health care provider. Persistent candida infections may be a sign of another health problem. Tell your child's provider if symptoms return after treatment.

When to contact your doctor

Unless your child's health care provider advises otherwise, contact them right away if:

• Your child has a fever (see "Fever and children" below).

• Your child stops eating or drinking.

• Pain continues or increases.

• The infection gets worse.

• Symptoms get worse or new symptoms start.

Fever and children

Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:

• Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.

• Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The health care provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.

• Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.

Use the rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel okay using a rectal thermometer, ask the provider what type to use instead. When you talk with any provider about your child’s fever, tell them which type you used.

Below is when to call the provider if your child has a fever. Your child’s provider may give you different numbers. Follow their instructions.

When to call a health care provider about your child's fever

Fever readings for a baby under 3 months old:

• First, ask your child’s health care provider how you should take the temperature.

• Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

• Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher.

• A fever of ___________as advised by the provider.

For a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):

• Rectal or forehead: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher.

• Ear (only for use over age 6 months): 102°F (38.9°C) or higher.

• A fever of ___________ as advised by the provider.

In these cases:

• Armpit temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher in a child of any age.

• Temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age.

• A fever of ___________ as advised by the provider.