YourYeastInfection.com

All About Male and Female Yeast Infections

How Candida Yeast Becomes Invasive

Candida switches from the non-threatening round form to the invasive filamented form when it encounters specific environmental conditions, such as a changing hormone balance or acidosis, which is common among diabetics.

In a completely healthy individual, Candida will not become infectious, so a Candida infection is always a symptom of an underlying imbalance or a temporary failure of the immune system. See pubmedcentral.nih.gov (PDF document loads slowly), and toms fungi site.

During this infectious phase, the yeast cell has long threads (called hyphea and pseudohyphae) that contain special proteins that allow it to attach itself to human cells on the skin and mucous membranes, and toxins emitted by the yeast cell can then cause irritation and inflammation. (See ScienceDaily.com)

Invasive yeast can also stick to the surfaces of prosthetic devices and sex toys. And invasive Candida has been found on all sorts of hospital surfaces, including food, air-conditioning vents, and even the clothing of hospital staff.

If you would like to see a remarkable photograph of Candida albicans in its infectious stage taken by David Scharf through an electron microscope, click here.

In its infectious phase, Candida can cause a vaginal discharge, discomfort, itching, rashes, or worse. It is impossible to ignore the presence of this fungus when it’s on the warpath. Then, just as quickly, the yeast can turn back into its peaceful phase again, and your life goes back to normal.

To learn more about Candida albicans yeast, and how it causes those irritating yeast infections, please see the following articles:

• Candida albicans - The Yeast Responsible for Yeast Infections
• How Candida Yeast Becomes Drug Resistant
• The Different Kinds of Yeast Infections
• About the Yeasts Responsible for Yeast Infections
• Why Are So Many Scientists Studying Candida?

Important: The information presented on this page and other pages on this site is based upon the opinions of the author, and on the author's interpretation of published reports and articles. It is not intended to replace your relationship with a qualified health care professional, and is not intended as medical advice. 

The author encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon knowledge of the issues of nutrition and health, and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Article Menu: