A candida infection can be described as a bacterial yeast infection and it is a very common infection for women. A candida infection and bacterial vaginosis can mimic each other with their symptoms, however they require completely different treatments.

A harmful bacteria named Gardnerella is usually the cause of bacterial vaginosis. Actually bacterial vaginosis used to be called Gardnerella vaginitis for that very reason.

Now a candida infection or yeast infection is actually caused by a fungus candida albicans. And it is basically what it sounds like an overgrowth of yeast or candida albicans.

An infection can occur when your natural flora gets disturbed for some reason. You see candida live naturally in your body and are usually kept in check by your immune system and "good" bacteria.

You might get new yeast introduced into your body in some way or you could be taking antibiotics. Antibiotics are probably the number one cause for getting either one of these infections. Even though antibiotics kill the "bad" bacteria in your body they accidentally kill the "good" bacteria as well, leaving you unable to fight off an infection.

Now a yeast infection is not considered a STD but it can be transmitted back and forth between partners, my husband and I found that one out the hard way. However bacterial vaginosis is not considered a STD and cannot be transmitted between partners.

Men can have little to no signs of a mild yeast infection. And yet they are still capable of transmitting it, they can just carry it for a long time if left untreated.

Symptoms of a yeast infection are a vaginal white discharge that could be light to heavy with the consistency of cottage cheese. So women have described it like crumbly blue cheese.

You should experience soreness around the vagina with quite a lot of itchiness. Other symptoms may include painful urination and pain during intercourse.

Thrush, athlete's foot, or skin candida infections if left untreated can escalate to more serious candida infections like digestive track, intestinal all the way to a systemic yeast infection. Candida can really cause you problems if you continue to ignore an infection.

If candida enters your blood stream it is considered a systemic yeast infection, this is bad. Now a systemic yeast infection is rare but it can happen if you continue to ignore a infection. A systemic candida infection will wreak havoc on you internal organs maybe even start shutting them down.

You could try an over the counter treatment from your local pharmacy but it will only cure the symptoms and will not address the root of the problem. The best way to permanently cure any candida infection is to kill all of the candida in the whole body. It's the only way to be sure you won't be dealing with another infection in the near future.