Patient/caregiver was educated on pathophysiology of candida infection as follows:

1. Candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal/yeast infection caused by candida, usually involving warm and moist areas of the skin, such as, groin, armpits. Involvement of the genital regions with candida is also common, especially in women, causing vulvovaginal candidiasis.
2. The fungus can also infect other body areas, such as, scalp, nails, oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus causing oropharyngeal candidiasis or thrush and esophageal candidiasis.
3. In extreme cases, candida can enter the blood and spread to different body parts, such as, kidneys, brain, and liver, resulting in invasive candidemia.
4. Strong and intact body immune system normally prevents growth of opportunistic candida infection. So, this infection is common is patients with compromised immune system.
5. The defective immune system contributing to candida infection can occur in phases of remission and relapse. This can result in the individual presenting with candida infection when immunity is at low and be clear of infection when immunity is strong.