Thrush question!

I just recently started having sex with my boyfriend, and I noticed some pain but didn't really think about and we have just been taking it slow. In the last few weeks I've been feeling kinda itchy and gross (it's made me feel super self conscious) I asked my mum what was happening (I'm super close with her but it was still embarrassing) and she thought it might be thrush, so she went out and got what I needed (the pill that fixes it and cream) and I think it's getting better but I'm unsure about when it would be safe to start doing anything with my boyfriend and are there anyways that can help prevent it? (Note: apparently the women in my family are really prone to getting it)