Clostridium (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Clostridium difficile is a type of bacteria that lives in many people’s intestines normally. It’s also present in the environment like in soil, water and animal feces. Most people will never have any problems with C. diff, but in case the balance is hampered the bacteria start to release toxins that attack the lining of the intestines. This is what leads to symptoms of C. diff. infection.

How do you know if you have a Clostridium difficile?

Symptoms-

• Frequent, watery diarrhea (may be 3-4 in mild diseases and can go up to 15 in severe infection)
• Abdominal pain
• Decrease appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Blood or pus in the stool
• Sepsis(infection that spreads through the blood) or a perforation (a hole) in the intestines.

Diagnosis

• Stool tests
• Rarely a X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan of colon is needed.

A carrier may test positive for C. diff. without having any symptoms but they don't have the infection

Treatment options

• Your doctor may ask you to stop taking antibiotics (as they might be the reason for your disease).
• Correction of dehydration due to diarrhea through increased fluid and electrolyte consumption.
• If stopping antibiotics doesn't help then the doctor might prescribe antibiotics such as metronidazole or vancomycin.
• Probiotics, or “good bacteria,” such as Saccharomyces boulardii, may be helpful
• Temporarily avoiding milk products and foods that contain wheat flour

When to seek medical care?

Call your doctor if your symptoms begin after you started taking an antibiotic. Also call if you have symptoms that last longer than three days or get worse

What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?

• Generally gets better with 48 hour of stopping antibiotics
• In severe cases metronidazole and vancomycin helps decrease the symptom within 72hour

Possible Complications

• Dehydration
• Sepsis

Prevention

• Wash your hands often using soap and water.
• Use chlorine bleach-based products to disinfect surfaces or items that may have come in contact with an infected person.
• Wash clothing that may be soiled with stool with detergent and chlorine bleach.
• If you are visiting someone in a hospital, wash your hands before, during and after your visit
• Don’t use antibiotics unless your doctor recommends them.