What is the difference between c diff and diarrhea

Clostridium difficile, also known as C. The infection most commonly affects people who have recently been treated with antibiotics. It can spread easily to others.

Symptoms of a C. In some cases, you may also have signs of dehydration. See a GP if you think you have got C. They may suggest sending off a sample of your poo to get it tested for C. Having diarrhoea while taking antibiotics does not necessarily mean you have C. Diarrhoea can be caused by a number of conditions and is a common side effect of antibiotics. Relapsing C difficile disease has also been treated with a combination of Saccharomyces boulardii , beginning 4 days before the end of a day course of standard antimicrobial therapy such as vancomycin.

In one study, this combination reduced the relapse rate in patients with previous relapses compared with use of vancomycin alone. Saccharomyces boulardii is not available in many countries, including the United States, but Saccharomyces cerevisiae brewer's yeast is more widely available, and has been used successfully in patients with refractory CDAD. Similarly, reconstitution of intestinal flora through bacteriotherapy has occasionally been used in the treatment of individuals with refractory CDAD.

Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea and is a leading cause of diarrhea in the elderly.

In some cases, life-threatening complications may be accompanied by a decrease in diarrhea due to ileus. Education of hospital personnel, appropriate diagnostic testing, early treatment, and measures for preventing spread of the pathogen may avert morbidity and mortality.

Corresponding author and reprints: Stephen B. Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy Continue. Figure 1. View Large Download. Table 1. J Infect Dis. N Engl J Med. Dis Colon Rectum. Am J Gastroenterol. J Hosp Infect. Clin Infect Dis. Am J Med. Bartlett JG Antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

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Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. The colon, also called the large intestine, is a long, tube-like organ in your abdomen. The colon carries waste to be expelled from the body.

They can begin reproducing in the small intestine. When they reach the large intestine colon , they can release tissue-damaging toxins. These toxins destroy cells, produce patches of inflammatory cells and cellular debris, and cause watery diarrhea.

When the bacteria are outside the colon — virtually anywhere in the environment — they are in a dormant state, or essentially shutdown. This enables them to survive for a long time in any number of places:. When bacteria once again find their way into a person's digestive system, they "wake up" and can begin to produce infection again.

The ability of dormant C. Although people who have no known risk factors have gotten sick from C. Your intestines contain about trillion bacterial cells and between to 2, different kinds of bacteria, many of which help protect your body from infection. When you take antibiotics to treat an infection, these drugs tend to destroy some of the helpful bacteria in your body in addition to the bacteria causing the infection.

Without enough helpful bacteria to keep it in check, C. While any antibiotic can be implicated, the antibiotics that most often lead to C. Proton pump inhibitors, a type of medicine used to reduce stomach acid, also may increase your risk of C. What is Clostridium difficile C. Symptoms of C. Mild symptoms can include: Watery diarrhea 3 or more times each day for several days. Stomach pain or tenderness.

Severe symptoms can include: Frequent, watery diarrhea up to 15 times each day. Severe stomach pain or tenderness. Call your doctor if: Symptoms begin after taking an antibiotic.

Symptoms last longer than 3 days or get worse. What causes a C. Other risk factors include: Surgery of the gastrointestinal GI tract. Stomach surgery that requires moving the intestines aside.

A stay in the hospital. Living in a nursing home or extended-care facility. Colon problems, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome IBS or colorectal cancer. Weakened immune system. Prior C. If you are in good health, you likely will not get a C. How is C. Can a C. Wash your hands often and well, using soap and water. Use disposable gloves when caring for someone who may have C. Use chlorine bleach-based products to disinfect surfaces and items.

Wash clothing that may be soiled with stool with soap and chlorine bleach. If you visit someone in a health care facility, wash your hands before, during, and after your visit.