Oral thrush
Sore or white patches in your mouth that wipe away? Check whether it's oral thrush and can be treated online. Quinn checks for painful swallowing or fever first — if it fits, a clinician can prescribe antifungal treatment.
- No appointment or video call
- NZ clinician reviewed
- Pay only if approved
What to expect
Talk to Quinn, our AI assistant. A NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care.
- If the patches fit oral thrush, a clinician may prescribe antifungal treatment and explain how to prevent it returning
- Swallowing symptoms, a fixed or unusual lesion, severe illness or persistent disease needs examination
Is this service right for me?
Start an online assessment if…
- The patches and soreness follow a typical uncomplicated oral-thrush pattern
- There is no painful swallowing, fixed lesion, bleeding, fever or serious illness
Use another service first if…
- Pain or difficulty swallowing, fever or feeling generally unwell
- A hard, fixed, bleeding or persistent patch, or repeated episodes without a clear reason
When to get care sooner
Some symptoms need urgent or in-person care.
See a doctor today if you…
- develop painful swallowing
- develop a fever
- aren't clearing up with treatment
About oral thrush
Oral thrush is a yeast (candida) infection in the mouth. It's more likely after taking antibiotics, using a steroid inhaler, wearing dentures, or if your immune system is under strain. It usually causes sore white patches that wipe away, leaving a red surface underneath.
- White mouth patches that can usually be wiped away
- Soreness or a burning mouth, sometimes after antibiotics, inhaled steroids or denture use
How your online consultation works
No appointment or video call to book. See the current clinician review time before you start.
- Tell QuinnDescribe your concern in your own words. Quinn, our AI assistant, gathers the information for your clinician.
- Clinician reviewA registered NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care. They may ask for more detail.
- Receive your careApproved documents are saved in My care. Any prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.
Keep your usual GP. You choose whether to share your approved consultation summary with your usual practice.
What we’ll ask about
Answer naturally. Quinn follows up on what matters to your situation, using these topics for the assessment.
- Where the patches are, whether they wipe off, soreness and duration
- Pain or difficulty swallowing, fever, bleeding, a hard or fixed patch or general illness
- Age or feeding context, dentures, inhaled steroids, immune health, pregnancy and medicines
Frequently asked questions
Can babies get oral thrush?
Yes, it's common in babies. Because it can pass between a breastfeeding baby and mother, both are usually treated at the same time.
Can adults get oral thrush without a clear cause?
It's less common in adults with no obvious trigger, such as an inhaler, dentures or breastfeeding. When that happens, a clinician may check for diabetes as a possible underlying reason.
What can make oral thrush more likely?
Recent antibiotics, using a steroid inhaler without rinsing afterwards, and wearing dentures can all make oral thrush more likely. So can a weakened immune system.
Fees and practical details
Your consultation fee is shown before submission. Your card is charged only if care is approved; medicine and pharmacy costs are separate.