C. Diff Treatment

Clostridium difficile, often shorted to C. diff, is a naturally occurring bacteria that can cause a wide range of symptoms. It is common, especially in hospitals, and is often a side effect of antibiotic use. It can, however afflict anyone. Treating the infection typically focuses on antibiotics, though probiotics, surgery and even a stool transplant may be needed as well.

Causes and Symptoms

• C. diff. is spread through contact with contaminated feces or food, making hospitals a common location of infection. The bacteria can exist in some people without causing symptoms, but if you're taking antibiotics they can destroy the "good" bacteria in your body, allowing the C. diff to run wild and cause illness. If affected, your symptoms will vary, though the most common include painful cramping and watery diarrhea. Severe cases cause the same symptoms, though they occur far more frequently and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as nausea, fever, vomiting and weight loss, as well as pus or blood found in your feces.

Treatment

• Even if caused by them, treatment involves the use of antibiotics as well. Patients with mild cases of a C. diff. infection are typically prescribed metronidazole, while severe cases are prescribed vancomycin. They don't kill the bacteria, but instead prevent it from growing, allowing the good bacteria in the system to grow and overpower it. In some cases, probiotics--which are the good bacteria that stop the C. diff--may be utilized in conjunction with antibiotics to help prevent the infection from recurring.

  In cases where there is severe pain, inflammation or organ failure, surgery to remove the affected part of the colon is necessary. If the condition is recurrent, antibiotics and probiotics are used in greater and stronger doses. In some cases, a stool transplant may be performed, although this is rare. A transplant works by placing donor stool with good, healthy bacteria into the colon of the affected individual to replenish the good bacteria in the patient's system and help fight off the infection.