Thrush (Candidiasis)—Child Care and Schools

PDF | Print or Share

What is thrush?

A yeast infection predominately produced by Candida albicans, causing mouth infections in young infants

What are the signs or symptoms?

White patches on the inside of cheeks and on gums and the tongue
Usually causes no other signs or symptoms

What are the incubation and contagious periods?

Incubation period: Unknown.
Contagious period: The yeast that causes thrush is widespread in the environment, normally lives on the skin, and is found in the mouth and stool. Mild infection of the lining of the mouth is common in healthy infants. Thrush can occur during or after antibiotic use. Repetitive or severe thrush could signal immune problems.

How is it spread?

C albicans is present in the intestinal tract and mucous membranes of healthy people.
A warm environment (eg, mouth) fosters growth and spread.
Person-to-person transmission (although very rare) may occur from a woman to her baby when the mother has a vaginal yeast infection and from breastfeeding babies to their mothers when babies with thrush infect mothers’ nipples.

How do you control it?

Use good hand-hygiene technique at all the times listed in Chapter 2.
Treatment of individuals who have an infection so the quantity of fungus in any area is reduced to levels the body can control.
Wash and sanitize toys, bottles, and pacifier nipples after they have been mouthed. Do not allow sharing of mouthed objects between children without first washing and sanitizing them.

What are the roles of the teacher/caregiver and the family?

Report the infection to the staff member designated by the child care program or school for decision-making and action related to care of ill children. That person, in turn, alerts the parents/guardians for treatment of the child.
Administer prescribed medication as instructed by the child’s health professional.

Exclude from group setting?

No.

Adapted from Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools: A Quick Reference Guide .

Any websites, brand names, products, or manufacturers are mentioned for informational and identification purposes only and do not imply an endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP is not responsible for the content of external resources. Information was current at the time of publication.

The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

< Back to all medical conditions articles

Measles update

February 12, 2026

There have been cases of measles in NC, with exposures in Chapel Hill, Durham, and Wake County. We can give the MMR dose early to families who want it. This applies to infants 6-12 months who have not gotten a dose yet or kids under 4-5 years who have not gotten their second MMR dose. At this time, the NC DHHS and health departments are not recommending this unless traveling or living in an area with sustained transmission. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective (97%) at preventing measles infections. At CHCAC, children receive their first dose at 12 months of age and a second dose at 4 years of age, ensuring they are fully protected as soon as possible, in accordance with the most up-to-date AAP recommendations. Some infants aged 6 months to 11 months who travel internationally or in high-prevalence areas may need a dose to protect them; however, they still require the 1-year and 4-year-old doses as well. If you are ever concerned about a possible exposure to measles, please CALL before entering our office. DO NOT ENTER the office. NC DHHS keeps a list of areas with measles exposures here . This is a highly contagious illness, and special precautions must be taken to prevent spread. The virus can be present in the air for 2 hours after an infected person is in the room, and 90% of susceptible patients can be infected. As always, if you have questions, we are here to help make sense of it all!

919-967-0771