Could Your Antibiotics Be Causing That Diarrhea?

The Hidden Enemy: What is C. difficile?

C. difficile is a bacterium that can cause severe colitis, a type of inflammation in the colon, particularly after antibiotic use. Antibiotics can disrupt your normal gut flora, making room for C. difficile to thrive. It's one of the most common healthcare-associated infections, posing a significant risk to patients, especially older adults in hospitals.

Symptoms: From Mild to Severe

CDI symptoms range from mild diarrhea to life-threatening colitis. Nonsevere cases often feature watery diarrhea and abdominal pain. Severe cases can lead to serious conditions like toxic megacolon, characterized by extreme abdominal pain and distension. In some cases, CDI can even lead to organ failure.

Diagnostic Tests: How is CDI Identified?

Diagnosing CDI involves testing stool samples for C. difficile toxins. The nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) is commonly used due to its high sensitivity. Other tests include enzyme immunoassays for toxins A and B. These tests help differentiate between active infections and harmless carriers of the bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

Recognizing and diagnosing CDI early can prevent severe complications.

Related Articles

• Are You at Risk for C. difficile Infection?
• Is It Just Diarrhea or Something More? Recognizing CDI Symptoms
• Decoding CDI: How is C. difficile Diagnosed?
• Unraveling the Causes: What Leads to C. difficile Infection?

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