Sometimes referred to as a bacterial yeast infection a candida infection is one of the most common infections in women. Although the symptoms of a bacterial infection or bacterial vaginosis and a yeast infection or candida infection can mimic each other, they are completely different.

Bacterial vaginosis used to be refered to as Gardnerella vaginitis. This is because the bacterium that usually causes this infection is Gargnerella.

Now a fungus is actually responsible for a yeast infection. A candida albicans infection is what we generally call a yeast infection in women and all candida infections are basically just a yeast overgrowth.

Your body has a natural flora which is a combination of several things like your immune system and "good" bacteria. Anytime time this flora becomes unbalanced or disturbed it makes you vulnerable to getting an infection.

This could be something like you having to take antibiotics or you’ve had new yeast introduced in some way. Anything that may upset the balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria can cause you to get either one of these infections. Antibiotics are the number one reason for getting many types of candida infections and bacterial vaginosis.

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.

Some women have described the discharge of a yeast infection like a crumbly blue cheese. But it should be a white vaginal discharge that is light to very thick sort of like cottage cheese.

Other symptoms would be a little yeasty odor to no odor at all. You should have extreme itchiness and soreness around the vagina. Painful urination and pain during intercourse may also be symptoms.

Candida can cause many problems for you if left untreated. Yeast infections can occur almost anywhere that is dark and moist. Candida infections range from thrush, skin or athlete’s foot to more serious infections like digestive tract, intestinal infections all the way up to a systemic yeast infection.

A systemic candida infection is rare but you don't want to take that chance. A systemic condition is where candida have entered the blood stream and will start to wreak havoc on your organs, possibly start shutting them down.

You want to kill all the candida in your entire body for any type of yeast infection. This is the only way to be sure you have performed a permanent cure and won't be dealing with another infection soon. Over the counter yeast infection treatments only cure your symptoms and do not fix the root of the problem.