Yeast infections of the vagina are common, and occur when there is an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida albicans. Candida is usually present in the body in minute amounts and are located in places such as the mouth.

After a hormonal imbalance is present, yeast grow rapidly. When this happens, symptoms of a yeast outbreak emerge.

What are the features of vaginal yeast infection?
Women with yeast infection usually get genital discharge. Males with penis yeast infection may experience an itchy rash on the penis.

How is genital yeast transmitted?
Three-quarters of adult women have had at least 1 genital yeast infection during their lifetime. Occasionally men also get it. Yeast infection occurs more commonly and more severely in those with depressed immune systems. Other factors that can put a woman at greater risk includes pregnancy, diabetes, taking broad-spectrum antibiotics, and taking steroid medications.

How do you know you have a yeast infection?
Most yeast infections are due to the person's own yeast organisms. Yeasts often live in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina without causing any symptoms. Symptoms start when yeast overgrows in these locations. Sometimes it can be transmitted between people through coitus.

How are yeast infections detected?
The symptoms of Candida infection are the same as those of several other genital infections. Usually the diagnosis is confirmed by taking a sample of the vaginal discharge and looking at it under a microscope to see if yeast organisms are present.

How do you treat yeast infections?
Several antiyeast drugs are available. Antifungal vaginal tablets or creams are commonly used. The length of the course ranges from single dose to 7 days of therapy. Simple infection may also be treated with a single dose of the antifungal drug fluconazole. Such drugs usually work to fix infection, but a few people have recurrent infections. Short-course treatments should be avoided in recurrent or resistant infection.

Can yeast infection become resistant to treatment?
Overusing antifungal medications may increase the likelihood that they will eventually not work. Therefore, it is important to be sure of the diagnosis before treatment. Looking at yeast infection pictures or videos (www.yeastinfectionpictures.info) can help.

How can you tell the difference between yeast and other genital infections?
Because yeast and other vaginal infections have similar symptoms (like dysuria), yeast infection pictures can help you check if you just have a yeast infection or something more serious that you need to seek medical attention about.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jessie Peterson is a healthcare writer focussing on specializing in women's health. Visit her blog at www.yeastinfectionpictures.info to read more about yeast infection pictures and treament (including graphic images of female and male yeast infection).