How Do You Get E. Coli – And How to Prevent It

Everything You Need To Know About C. Diff

C. Diff is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tenderness. It is commonly treated with antibiotics such as fidaxomicin (Dificid) and vancomycin (Firvanq).

C. Diff, short for Clostridium difficile, is a form of infectious bacterium. It can cause a range of symptoms but most commonly results in colitis, which is the inflammation of the wall of your colon.

Learn more about what symptoms to look out for, common causes, and how the condition can be treated and prevented.

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, between 4% and 15% of healthy adults have C. Diff in their intestines. Up to 70% of infants have C. Diff at birth, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Other bacteria that live in the intestines usually keep the amount of C. Diff under control. However, in some instances, a C. Diff infection can occur. This includes via:

Touching an infected object: C. Diff is contagious and can pass from person to person. Touching objects, including food and surfaces, that have been in contact with feces (poop) from someone who has C. Diff can transmit the bacteria.

Taking antibiotics: Antibiotics help fight off bad bacteria. However, the drug doesn't always know the difference between good and bad germs. This means it may sometimes remove good bacteria that protect our body from infections like C. Diff.

The main symptom of a C. Diff infection is diarrhea. Other symptoms include:

abdominal pain or cramps

nausea

fever

loss of appetite

dehydration

blood in stool (in severe cases)

Symptoms of a C. Diff infection can range from mild to severe. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends speaking with a doctor as a necessary step if your symptoms do not go away after 2 days.

Get immediate treatment if you have severe abdominal pain or notice blood in your stool.

The C. Diff bacterium comes from feces and is contagious. You can develop an infection if you touch a surface that has come in contact with feces (poop) from someone with C. Diff and then touch your mouth.

In addition, C. Diff spores are resistant to many chemicals used for household cleaning. As a result, they can stick around for a long time.

While anyone can develop a C. Diff infection, some people have an increased risk.

Things that can increase your risk include:

To diagnose a C. Diff infection, a doctor typically starts by asking some questions about your symptoms and medical history.

Next, they may order stool testing which involves obtaining a stool sample. They then send the sample to a lab where technicians analyze it, looking for toxins or toxin genes of the C. Diff bacterium.

If it comes back positive for these toxins, it typically means you have a C. Diff infection.

A C. Diff infection is typically treated using antibiotics. However, in some cases, a doctor may also suggest a procedure known as a sigmoidoscopy to confirm the severity of the infection and perform a fecal microbiota transplant.

Here's a detailed look at treatment options for C. Diff include:

Antibiotics

C. Diff infections require treatment with antibiotics. If you're already taking an antibiotic for another condition, a doctor may have you stop taking it if possible.

Common antibiotics used to treat C. Diff infections include:

fidaxomicin (Dificid)

metronidazole (Flagyl)

vancomycin (Firvanq)

Oral metronidazole is typically less effective. Doctors prescribe it for a non-severe, initial C. Diff infection if fidaxomicin or vancomycin are not available.

In most cases, you can take each of these antibiotics orally. However, some infections might require intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy.

The CDC recommends taking an antibiotic course for at least 10 days to treat a C. Diff infection.

Sigmoidoscopy

A doctor may order a colonoscopy to help determine the severity of the infection.

During this procedure, a long, thin device called a sigmoidoscope is inserted into your colon. This allows a doctor to get a better look at your colon and check for signs of inflammation.

It can also be used to insert stool from a donor to treat the infection if a colonoscopy is not used.

In the case of recurrent C. Diff, defined as at least two recurrences after the first episode, a fecal microbiota transplant may be considered a potential treatment option after antibiotic therapy.

In very rare cases, you may need surgery to remove the affected part of your colon.

Treating C. Diff at home

In mild cases, you can treat C. Diff can at home with antibiotics. As you recover, make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Having diarrhea often leads to dehydration, so it's important to replenish the fluids you lose.

However, if you experience diarrhea for more than 2 days, it is important to speak with a doctor as soon as possible. This can help avoid severe dehydration, which can be life threatening.

Does C. Diff go away on its own?

A mild C. Diff infection that presents no symptoms can go away on its own. However, more severe forms require treatment, such as antibiotics, to prevent complications.

Is it OK to be around someone with C. Diff?

It is typically OK to be around someone with C. Diff as most healthy adults will not contract the bacterium. However, it is still important to wash your hands frequently and keep surfaces — especially those in the kitchen and bathroom — clean.

What happens if C. Diff goes untreated?

If C. Diff goes untreated, it may lead to severe dehydration, which can be life threatening. This is why it's important to speak with a doctor about any symptoms you may be experiencing.

C. Diff, short for Clostridium difficile, is a contagious bacterium that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tenderness.

Most C. Diff infections respond well to a 10-day course of oral antibiotic treatment. In more severe cases, you may need an IV antibiotic in addition to oral antibiotic therapy.

If you think you have a C. Diff infection, it's important to speak with a doctor as soon as possible to help avoid developing any complications.

C. Diff: Signs And Symptoms

Clostridiodes difficile or C. Diff is a bacteria that can cause diarrhea and colon inflammation (colitis). Because watery diarrhea is the primary symptom, C. Diff can closely resemble other viral diarrhea causes, which may make the condition hard to diagnose. Half a million people in the United States experience C. Diff infections each year with those ages 65 and older experiencing the most severe and potentially deadly complications from the infection.

Most of the time, C. Diff occurs when you are taking (or recently finished taking) antibiotic medications, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, or clindamycin. These medicines may destroy healthy bacteria in your intestines that keep C. Diff bacteria from multiplying.

Some people may have C. Diff bacteria present in their intestines and have no symptoms. For example, an estimated 20% of hospitalized people have asymptomatic C. Diff infections. Those who do have symptoms may find they closely resemble those of a stomach virus. The most common C. Diff infection symptom is watery diarrhea with more than three bowel movements in a 24-hour period. Other common C. Diff infection symptoms include: Abdominal tenderness Lower abdominal pain Appetite loss Low-grade fever Nausea Stomach cramping Typically, you will have these symptoms about two weeks after stopping antibiotic medications. Important to note is C. Diff infections do not usually cause significant intestinal bleeding. If you see blood in your stool, the blood may be related to another condition. Some people may experience C. Diff infections that progress to severe and complicated symptoms. These symptoms are the results of severe loss of fluid, progressive infection, and abnormal muscle contractions in the intestines. Examples of less common but severe symptoms include: Dehydration Dizziness Electrolyte imbalances which can affect your heart rate Extreme fatigue Fever Severe abdominal pain, usually in the lower right or lower left parts of the stomach Stomach that feels hard and painful to the touch These symptoms can indicate emergency medical events, such as an ileus, which is when your intestines aren't moving so stool cannot pass. You are at risk for bowel perforation (tearing of your intestinal lining) if this occurs. Sometimes C. Diff infections cause unusual symptoms outside stomach-related complaints that a healthcare provider may not initially recognize as being related to C. Diff bacteria. Examples of these symptoms include: Appendicitis Cellulitis, a serious and painful skin infection Joint pain and swelling Swelling of the hands and feet Again, these symptoms rarely occur in relation to C. Diff infections. Infections with C. Diff occur less frequently in children than they do in adults. Children also tend to have fewer severe complications compared to adults. Newborns and children younger than age 2 may have C. Diff bacteria present in their digestive tract, but they don't seem to experience the same severe side effects or symptoms as adults can. An estimated 12 to 30% of children with C. Diff will experience recurrent C. Diff infections. When children do experience C. Diff symptoms, their most common symptom is mild to moderate diarrhea that is frequent and watery. Other C. Diff symptoms in children include: In very rare instances, children with C. Diff can experience pseudomembranous colitis, a condition characterized by severe inflammation of the inner lining of the large intestine, and other severe symptoms associated with C. Diff infections. Seek emergency medical attention if you have a fever greater than 103 degrees, severe abdominal pain, or if your abdomen feels hard to the touch. These could indicate a severe infection and possibly bowel perforation. A case of C. Diff can be most serious for older adults and shouldn't be ignored. If you've been taking antibiotics recently and experience diarrhea that does not go away or get better after two to three days, you should see a healthcare provider. If you have recently had a C. Diff infection and experience similar symptoms again, see your healthcare provider. C. Diff infections recur in about one in six people, usually within 2-8 weeks after first having the condition. Your healthcare provider may recommend alternate treatments if you have recurring C. Diff infections. C. Diff infections can cause symptoms that range from mild diarrhea to severe and life-threatening bowel perforation. If you have recently taken antibiotics, you may be at an increased risk for C. Diff. Fortunately, C. Diff is treatable. Treatments include antibiotics that specifically target the C. Diff bacteria and fecal transplant for infections that keep coming back.

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What To Eat When You Have Clostridioides Difficile (C. Diff)

Consuming foods containing probiotics can be beneficial if a person has a clostridium difficile (C. Diff) infection. A doctor may also recommend probiotic supplements.

C. Diff is a strain of bacteria that causes severe diarrhea and intestinal infection. It may also lead to inflammation of the colon.

Although it can occur in people of any age, C. Diff is most common in older adults. People who have recently taken antibiotics or who are in a hospital or long-term care facility are also more likely to develop the infection.

Antibiotics can alter the balance of bacteria in a person's intestines, making it easier for disease-causing bacteria, such as C. Diff, to grow.

When a person has C. Diff, the bacteria will be in their stool. These bacteria can contaminate any surface or material they come into contact with. Spores can survive on a surface for up to 5 months without proper decontamination and disinfection.

This article explains the best foods for a person with a C. Diff infection, foods to avoid, and recipe ideas.

When a person has a C. Diff infection, a doctor may recommend eating foods that contain probiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms that can help regulate a person's digestion.

fermented dairy foods, such as:

sauerkraut

fermented tempeh

miso — a fermented soybean paste

It is vital to consume products that contain live cultures. A person can find this information on the product package.

Also, after talking with their doctor, a person may want to take probiotic supplements. Some are available over the counter, while others may require a prescription.

Fiber

Other than probiotics, a doctor may suggest other dietary changes to help manage the symptoms of a C. Diff infection. However, the ideal diet may vary depending on the severity of the infection.

Anyone with this infection should speak with a doctor about what they should and should not eat.

Avoid dehydration

Someone with severe diarrhea may also become very dehydrated, meaning that they have lost a lot of fluid. For this reason, a person should be sure to drink plenty of clear fluids, such as:

Young children, infants, and older adults are at higher risk of dehydration and its associated complications.

Someone with a C. Diff infection may want to avoid or limit the following foods:

whole milk or foods made from whole milk, as the person may become sensitive to lactose during the infection

acidic or spicy foods

greasy or fatty foods

caffeine, which, as a diuretic, can exacerbate fluid loss

foods that contain solid fats, total saturated fats, and added sugar, which may reduce colonization odds, according to some research

It may be better to consume probiotic-rich foods uncooked, because heat above 45°C can destroy these helpful microorganisms — although some bacteria can survive above this heat.

However, some recipes are fermented and produce probiotics in the cooking process. They include the following.

Sauerkraut

This recipe from Eat Fresh serves 8. A person needs the following ingredients:

1 pound of cabbage, finely shredded (about 6 cups)

2/3 tablespoon (tbsp) of salt

Follow these directions to make sauerkraut:

Mix the cabbage and salt in a bowl for about 5 minutes. Massage the mix to release most of the liquid.

Let the mixture sit for about 1 hour.

Place the mixture in a jar, ensuring the liquid fully covers the cabbage, and seal the jar.

Leave the jar to ferment for at least 5 days. A longer duration gives a tangier taste.

Open the jar once daily to release the pressure and ensure the brine still covers the cabbage. Push down if necessary.

When done, move to the refrigerator and enjoy.

Macrobiotic miso soup

This recipe will take around 10 minutes to make and requires the following ingredients:

1–2 inches of wakame sea vegetable per cup of water

2–4 thin slices of a root vegetable per cup of water

1/8–1/4 of a cup of leafy greens, finely chopped

1/2 to 1 level teaspoon (tsp) of miso per cup water

finely chopped scallion for garnishing

1 and 1/8 of a cup of water per serving or 2 and 1/8 cups of water per 2 servings

Follow these directions for macrobiotic miso soup:

Soak the wakame in water for 1–2 minutes or until soft. Remove it from the water and cut it into even pieces.

Pour the measured water into a pot and put the wakame in the water. Turn the oven on and boil the water.

Add the root vegetables and cook for about 5 minutes.

Measure the miso and place it in a small bowl. Dilute the miso in the bowl using a small ladle of the cooking stock until the consistency is thin enough to dissolve once added back to the pot.

Add the leafy greens to the boiling pot, then the diluted miso paste.

Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and simmer for 3–4 minutes.

Pour into a small bowl to serve and garnish with the scallions.

Probiotic breakfast bowls

This example of a probiotic breakfast bowl serves 4. Use the following ingredients:

1 cup of quinoa

1 and 3/4 cups of water

salt

1 medium avocado

2 medium scallions

3 tbsp of olive oil, divided

4 packed cups or 4 ounces of baby spinach

4 large eggs

1 cup of fermented red cabbage or beet kraut

1 cup of plain Greek yogurt

4 tsp of hemp seeds

Follow these directions to make the breakfast bowl:

Rinse the quinoa and put it in a medium saucepan. Add 1 and 3/4 cups water and a generous pinch of salt. Once it boils, reduce it to a simmer and cook it uncovered for 10–12 minutes until the quinoa is tender.

Remove the pan from the heat, cover it, and let it steam for 5 minutes.

Thinly slice the avocado and scallions.

Heat 1 and 1/2 tsp olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the baby spinach and cook, stirring often, for 1–2 minutes until wilted. Divide the spinach between 4 bowls and clean the pan.

Heat another 1 and 1/2 tbsp of olive oil in the pan over medium heat. Add 4 large eggs and season each. Cook for 2 minutes until the edges are crisp and the whites set.

Divide the quinoa between the bowls and top each with a fried egg. Divide the cabbage or kraut, the avocado slices and scallions, the Greek yogurt, and hemp seeds among the bowls.

The symptoms of a C. Diff infection can include:

However, a person can have the bacteria without having any symptoms.

To diagnose a C. Diff infection, doctors take a stool sample for analysis in a laboratory. This test can determine which species of bacteria is causing the infection and the best antibiotic to treat it.

Other diagnosis steps may include:

When someone develops a C. Diff infection after taking antibiotics for another illness, they may need to stop taking them. However, this may not be possible in all situations — especially for people with severe infections.

Medications

Someone with mild symptoms may require additional antibiotics to treat the infection. Doctors can prescribe a variety of oral antibiotics, including:

Vancomycin (Vancocin): A doctor may prescribe 125 milligrams (mg) four times daily for 10 days.

Fidaxomicin (Dificid): This antibiotic works similarly to vancomycin. The dose is 200 mg twice daily for 10 days.

Metronidazole (Flagyl): A doctor may prescribe 500 mg three times daily for 10 days.

A person with C. Diff infection should not take antidiarrheal medications, as these can increase the risk of severe complications.

Surgery

Someone with a severe infection and damage to the colon may require surgery. If a person's colon is severely damaged, it may require surgical removal.

They then transplant it directly into the person with the infection. Doctors can do this using a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or an enema.

This procedure allows healthy gut bacteria from the donor stool to move into the injured or diseased colon, making it easier for the colon to heal after a C. Diff infection.

C. Diff infection is a bowel infection that, without treatment, can lead to severe complications. It is essential for anyone who develops diarrhea or abdominal pain after taking antibiotics to contact a doctor.

If a doctor diagnoses a C. Diff infection, they will start treatment immediately. Dietary changes can be an essential part of treatment and allow the colon to rest and heal.

Doctors may encourage a person to stay hydrated and eat probiotics and foods high in fiber to manage infection symptoms, such as diarrhea.

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