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 is actually caused by the harmful bacterium Gardnerella. Bacterial vaginosis used to be called Gardnerella vaginitis because that was the bacteria that usually caused this infection.

Now a yeast infection is exactly what it sounds like an overgrowth of yeast. It is actually a fungal infection caused by candida. There are different types of candida infections, candida albicans is variety that causes problems for women.

Candidas live naturally in the body and are usually kept in check by your immune system and the proper balance of "good" bacteria. However a infection can occur when your natural flora balance is disturbed for some reason.

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.

A candida infection or yeast infection can be sexually transmitted between partners, I found that out with my husband the hard way. However bacterial vaginosis cannot be transmitted back and forth.

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.

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.

Treating your symptoms and not addressing the root of the infection is what a lot of the over the counter yeast infection treatments will give you. But the only way to be sure you won't be dealing with another infection in the future is to kill all the candida in your entire body. It's easy and it's the only permanent solution.