Why do some people have recurring C Diff infections?
This is an area where research is ongoing, but here are some of the possible reasons.
1 They have been reinfected through another hospital contact and a cycle of sickness has started again
2 The drugs previously given subdued it but did not kill it. There is some evidence that some bacteria will ‘switch off’ and go dormant in their fight against vancocin. When the balance of the intestine is disturbed again by drug treatment for another illness the latent c diff is re-activated.
3 Little is known about the general prevelance of c difficile in the environment and community. Figures of 3-35% who might be ‘silent carriers’ are sometimes mentioned in the scientific literature. There is also a growing body of evidence that some are suffering c difficile infections without hospital contact. The possibility of community spread cannot be ruled out.
4 The intestine can sometimes be so disturbed by drug treatment, infection and ilness that it struggles to get right. The controversial fecal transpant method does suggest that healthier fecal matter can restore the intestine to balance and break the cycle of illness
What is C Diff?
What are the symptoms of C Diff?
How is C Diff treated?
How is C Diff diagnosed?
How does C Difficile make you ill
Why do some people have recurring C Diff infection
How can C diff be prevented
What is the C Diff ‘fecal transplant’ therapy
Is C Difficile contagious?
What is C Difficile colitis
What are C Difficile toxins
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I have C diff now. What can I eat? Everything goes right thrugh me.
This from the http://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-information-antibiotic-associated-diarrhea-clostridium-difficile site may help
Diet — There is no particular food or group of foods that is best for a person with diarrhea. However, adequate nutrition is important during an episode of acute diarrhea. For patients without an appetite, it is acceptable to consume only liquids for a short period of time. Boiled starches and cereals (eg, potatoes, noodles, rice, wheat, and oats) with salt are recommended for people with watery diarrhea; crackers, bananas, soup, and boiled vegetables may also be eaten.
A temporary type of lactose intolerance is common following diarrheal illness; this may last for several weeks to months. Thus, temporary avoidance of lactose-containing foods (eg, ice cream, milk and milk products) may be helpful.
Can a pregnant woman give c-diff to her newborn after she returns home? She is getting better and the baby is due in 10 days how safe is it for her and other children?
She is more likely to infect others when she is still suffering. After it has stopped then there is a residual chance of infection from hard to eradicate spores but good personal hygiene should deal with that. It should be noted that many people are c diff carriers but suffer no ill effect unless they are unwell and have to have antibiotics. It is not an infection that automatically makes you ill
Dave Roberts
Cdifficile.org
I am on my second round of c-diff, acttually, I don’t even know if it went away the first time.My question is this…..I had my stomach removed in 2009 at the Cleveland Clinic due to perferations in my stomach(reaccuring ulcer disease), anyway my health is not all that great. I have trouble with my hemaglobin, i’m forever receiving blood, I had heart and lung failure last year, along with pnemonia, sepsis, blood loss(I came very close to dying) but this second round of c-diff is really bringing my health down. even though I have lomotil and immodiam ad I go 20-25 times, my stomach internal organs feel like they are being twisted, can’t sleep, I keep falling out( I will be on the toilet and wake up 2 hours later. I don’t know what to do , I’m scared. Could you possibly die from it? And when should I say- enough is enough and go to the hospital. HELP…..PLEASE!
I would urge you to go to the hospital. We are medical journalists, not doctors so we can’t give advice. But neither of the drugs you have been given are c diff drugs. If you have a proven c diff infection via a c diff test then they should be giving you another drug.
C Diff can make people very ill who are already unwell. Get help now
Dave Roberts
cdifficile.org
I developed Cdiff as a result of taking Augmentin. Treated for 10 days with Metronidazole. 3 days after completing the regimen I relapsed. My doctor uncertain on how to proceed sent me to the ER. They gave me IV fluids including a gram of Vancomycin. Sent me home with a 4 week script for Metronidazole. After 2 days on regimen I am feeling much better.
Since my doctor is unclear on course of treatment I have questions that she cannot answer. Here is my main question. After I complete the 4 weeks of Metronidazole would a stool sample reveal the presence of Cdiff or not?
I am a 60 year old female previously in excellent health, normal weight, no smoking, physically fit, taking no medications. I took the antibiotic Augmentin as a result of a dog bite.
Thank you for any insight into this nasty condition.