Throat fungus is an infection in the oral cavity that extends to the lower pharynx. It is commonly caused by Candida albicans, a fungus naturally present and harmless in the oral and pharyngeal microbiota. When the microbial balance is disrupted and favorable conditions arise, the fungus proliferates, leading to infection.

Your mother's recurrent infection, despite treatment, may be due to uncontrolled factors that facilitate fungal growth. These include diabetes, immunosuppression, prolonged use of inhaled corticosteroids or broad-spectrum antibiotics, improper denture hygiene, smoking, or dry mouth.

Insufficient dosage, incomplete treatment duration, or stopping medication prematurely when symptoms subside also allow residual fungi to regrow, develop drug resistance, and cause frequent, difficult-to-treat recurrences. Additionally, throat fungus can develop from reinfection from old sources, such as oral hygiene tools, or transmission from asymptomatic family members.

Doctor Phong performs a throat endoscopy on a patient. *Illustration: Tam Anh General Clinic*

The condition can be cured permanently with accurate diagnosis, adequate dosage and duration of treatment, good control of associated risk factors, and proper oral hygiene post-treatment. Without underlying conditions, most patients respond well to topical or systemic antifungal medications within one to two weeks, experiencing few recurrences.

Patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, immunosuppression (HIV infection, chemotherapy, immunosuppressant use), or those requiring inhaled corticosteroids or prolonged antibiotic therapy have a lower chance of complete recovery. Fungal infections are prone to multiple recurrences if underlying conditions are not controlled and a favorable environment for fungal growth persists.

You should take your mother for a medical examination so a doctor can recommend appropriate treatment. Patients need to combine correctly prescribed antifungal medication with thorough management of risk factors, good control of underlying diseases, and scheduled follow-up appointments for doctor's evaluation, avoiding self-discontinuation of medication prematurely when symptoms only begin to subside.

Doctor of First-Degree Specialization Tran Quoc Phong

Specialist in Ear, Nose, and Throat

Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7