Common Infections Found in the Esophagus
Getting an infection in the esophagus is common and can be very uncomfortable. There are a number of different infections that can be found there, and each requires its own type of treatment to clear up. It’s important to get treatment for an esophageal infection as soon as you can so that it doesn’t keep getting worse. It’s possible to treat it early so that you don’t get many symptoms of it.
Early treatment can also keep the tissue that lines the esophagus from being damaged. Damage can cause this tissue not to work as it should in the movement of foods and drinks down to the stomach. When esophagitis, the inflammation of the esophagus, gets worse, it can also cause dehydration, unexpected weight loss, and a narrowing of the passage.
It’s important not to ignore any changes in your health so that you can catch things like infections right away. If you have any abnormal feelings in your mouth or throat, or you see or smell something abnormal in your mouth, it could be an infection that needs to be treated. Some of the symptoms that can be caused by one of these infections can include:
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Odynophagia (painful swallowing)
Lesions or ulcers in the mouth
White patches anywhere inside the mouth
Bad breath that’s unusual
Hoarseness
Chest pain
There are five important esophageal infections that you should know about and watch out for. These include herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Candida albicans, esophageal thrush, and infectious esophagitis. Each of these can cause problems, and each should be treated when discovered to keep them from getting worse.
Herpes Simplex Virus
HSV is a type of virus that is highly common among the population. Almost half of teens and adults under age 50 have this virus. This infection can cause esophagitis that generally causes the esophagus to develop ulcers and inflammation. This condition can be highly painful and make it harder to swallow. HSV may also cause lesions in the mouth that deliver further pain.
When you have HSV that is causing these problems, the condition will typically go away after a few weeks. However, if this doesn’t happen, you’ll need medical treatment. This can include being prescribed an antiviral medication. These may include Famvir, Valtrex, or Zovirax. You should also eat soft foods that won’t cause more pain. You may also need pain medication if the pain is severe.
This can be a sexually transmitted virus, so it’s important to practice safe intercourse. HSV can also be spread by sharing a drink with someone to using items that they’ve used such as towels or other items that touch the skin. Be careful about what you touch while you’re in public to try to avoid infection.
Cytomegalovirus
CMV is another type of common virus. It can cause patients to develop esophagitis that can be painful and affect their health by making it harder to get nutrition. This virus is especially common in those who have HIV or AIDS, have had an organ or stem cell transplant, or otherwise have a weakened immune system. When this infection is in the esophagus, it’s referred to as herpes esophagitis. Outbreaks of this infection often happen more often than herpes outbreaks that happen elsewhere on the body. The sores that can happen in the esophagus are also worse than the ones typically seen elsewhere.
A CMV infection can be extremely severe and can even be fatal. In many patients, it causes fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, and fever. If you notice these symptoms, you may need to seek treatment for this virus. There isn’t a cure for CMV, but the symptoms of the infection can be treated as needed. If you notice that you have any of the symptoms of esophagitis from this infection, see your doctor right away. You may need one or more medications to feel better and be able to eat and drink more easily.
Sometimes, babies are born with this infection. It’s also possible for people of other ages to get it. This generally happens through the transfer of bodily fluids. This can include breast milk as well as semen, blood, and saliva.
Candida Albicans
This is one of the most common causes of an esophageal infection. When patients are in good health, it’s rare to come down with this infection. However, it’s all too common in those who have weakened immune systems such as those who have had a transplant of bone marrow or an organ. HIV and AIDS can also cause this weakening that makes patients vulnerable to Candida albicans.
This is a type of fungal infection that can also happen to people who are taking steroids or antibiotics as well as those who smoke or eat a lot of sugar. If you have white patches on the inside of the cheeks and the tongue, or you have oral lesions or painful swallowing, you may have this infection. Seek out treatment early on before the condition gets any more pronounced and painful.
This fungal infection is a type of yeast that can be found in other parts of the body such as the digestive system. This yeast is usually harmless, but when it gets overgrown, it causes this infection. This often happens because a patient was taking antibiotics which killed off the bacteria and left the yeast free to grow out of control. You may need to take an antifungal medication to clear up the infection. This may be a one-time treatment that will knock out the infection, or you may need a longer course of antifungals to completely get rid of the problem. Your doctor will look at how complex the infection is and how much it’s affecting you.
Esophageal Thrush
This infection is a yeast infection that is located inside the esophagus. This yeast infection is usually caused by a yeast called Candida, though it can be caused by other fungi. This condition is known as esophageal candidiasis, or oral thrush. When a patient has esophageal thrush, they may have a hard time swallowing, painful swallowing, a burning sensation in the mouth, oral lesions, redness inside the mouth, loss of taste, spots that bleed when you touch them, and a feeling like there’s cotton in your mouth. When you experience these symptoms, see the doctor for treatment. You may need to have a course of antifungals to get rid of thrush. This may be prescribed as a liquid, pill, or lozenge that contains the medication.
Candida is a normal part of the microflora in your mouth. However, several factors can cause it to get overgrown and spread to the back of the throat. This can include taking antibiotics or steroids and wearing dentures, especially dentures for the top. It can also happen to diabetics who aren’t keeping control over their blood sugar. When there’s too much sugar in the blood, the saliva will have too much sugar, and this serves to feed the fungus that’s causing the thrush.
It’s important to get treatment as soon as the symptoms appear so that you can keep eating a healthy diet without pain. If this infection continues to flourish, it can affect other parts of the body as well.
Infectious Esophagitis
This condition is much more rare than the other causes of esophageal infections. It can be caused by many different infectious agents such as CMV, HSV, Candida, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. When it’s found, it’s usually in people who have a serious medical condition or have a weakened immune system. Those who are getting cancer treatment, have HIV or AIDS, are diabetic, are being treated for any type of transplant, or who use antibiotics or steroids may be vulnerable to developing infectious esophagitis.
The treatment that patients get for this condition depends on what caused the infection, how severe it is, and whether it’s caused any complications. You may also need to change your lifestyle to treat the problem and prevent it from returning. You may need to start using better oral hygiene to get rid of germs that can cause this condition. You may need to avoid sharing foods and drinks with others.
Conclusion
It’s important to get the treatment you need for all infections that are found in the esophagus so that it doesn’t get more and more dangerous and painful. When you notice that something in your mouth or throat is abnormal, you need to find out whether you have an infection that needs treatment.
The health of your esophagus is intimately tied to the health of the rest of your body, so don’t let an infection worsen. There are cures for many of the substances that can cause this type of infection. For others, there are medications to help soothe your systems and make it easier for you to eat and drink as usual.
