Clostridium difficile (C diff)
About Clostridium difficile (C diff)
Bacteria that cause infection in the large intestine (colitis). It usually occurs 4-5 days after taking a strong antibiotic, and is more commonly found in patients who have been in a hospital or nursing home. Older patients and those with a weakened immune system get more serious infections. The range of illness is wide causing anything from simple diarrhea to a life threatening infection. There are an increasing number of cases among hospitalized patients, in which the bacteria in one patient are passed to other patients. This is called a nosocomial infection.Symptoms
Diarrhea, abdominal cramping and pain, fever, bloody stools, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, fainting.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. A stool sample will be tested to look for the toxins C. difficile produces. A colonoscopy may be done to examine the inside of the colon. Rarely a CT scan will be performed to look for damage done by the infection.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan.
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
The mainstay of treatment is giving the oral antibiotics metronidazole/Flagyl or vancomycin/Vancocin. If the diarrhea has been severe the patient may be dehydrated or have problems with the blood chemistry requiring intravenous fluids. Rarely the infection is severe enough to cause a hole in the intestine (perforation) requiring surgical removal of the intestine.Medical specialties
Gastroenterology · Gastroenterology · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics · Family Practice · Pediatric Gastroenterology
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Clostridium difficile (C diff).