Clostridium Infections

Clostridium infection, also known as pseudomembranous colitis, is caused by bacterium called Clostridium difficile (or C. diff), which lives in the intestines of most people. It mostly affects older people who are hospitalized or who take antibiotics.

Mild Symptoms

• The symptoms of a C. diff infection are generally mild to moderate, and include three or more instances of watery diarrhea each day, and stomach cramping or pain.

Severe Symptoms

• In severe cases, a C. diff infection can cause colitis (inflamed colon), severe stomach pain or cramping, fever, nausea, appetite loss, weight loss, dehydration and repeated instances of diarrhea.

Complications

• Clostridium infection can cause complications, such as severe dehydration, renal failure, bowel perforation and toxic megacolon (an enlarged colon that may rupture). If left untreated, clostridium infection can cause death.

Treatment

• Treatment for clostridium infection includes specific antibiotics (such as Flagyl and Vancocin) that target the C. diff bacterium, probiotics (such as a yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii) and colon surgery.

Prevention

• Care-givers can help prevent the elderly from getting infected by taking proper sanitary precautions. The elderly should avoid high doses of antibiotics unless absolutely necessary.