Question 1

how common is it to develop c diff after antibiotics? penicillin and/or cephalosporin ?

Accepted Answer

Reasonably common: The higher the dose of the antibiotic and the longer the treatment duration, the greater is the likelihood of developing C diff

Question 2

going to be tested for c diff after antibiotic use. if i end up being tx for it, is it okay to try for pregnancy next month? recurrence risk? worried!

Accepted Answer

C diff: If your treatment for c diff is successful as determined by follow-up stool culture and you feel healthy, I don't see why you shouldn't attempt to get pregnant. If you have to stay on medications, then you should ask your obgyn for advice on this matter.

Question 3

it seem i have a bit of c diff after antibiotic and i dont go constantly but every 2 days loose stools and c diff symptoms.should i recover naturally?

Accepted Answer

You could: You may take Immodim or Pepto-bismol to control the loose stools. 
Have a healthy diet, exercise 30 minutes/day, drink plenty of water, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol weed or street drugs. For nutrition: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/.

Question 4

do some people get c-diff after stopping antibiotics due to not practicing hygiene/handwashing etc.- not realizing they're still at risk for while?

Accepted Answer

Clostridium dfficile: C. diff is not caused by stopping antibiotics but is an opportunistic infection that happens because of taking antibiotics. Antibiotics can eliminate a lot of the normal bacteria in the colon allowing C. diff to begin to take effect. Once a person has C. diff they are at increased risk of developing it again with any antibiotic.

Question 5

history of c diff after taking antibiotics. if i still have the spores, what causes them to germinate? more antibiotics? hopefully not stress? thanks.

Accepted Answer

Predisposition: to have it again.

Mainly risk is from getting rid of all the other germs in the colon. Mostly that occurs with more antibiotics. Stress like multiple trauma or burns over 50% of your body, yes, that might be a risk (of course in these contexts people usually get antibiotics). Stress enough to kill off bowel is a risk. Lower stress than that no.

Question 6

suspect i may have c diff after long course of antibiotics. no fever, just going 8-10 times today and some cramping. er or wait till morning?

Accepted Answer

Cannot say: in your particular case without more info and an exam. But, it can cause life-threatening bowel perforation. Note that the lab test accurately finds it only half the time it is actually there. Signs it is an emergency are usually NOT subtle (pain, diarrhea, bleeding) if symptoms are severe it's pretty obvious that the person will have to go to the er.

Question 7

how long after finishing antibiotics would c diff appear?

Accepted Answer

Time can be variable: There's a variation in time from sooner to later. If this is a suspicion your physician can test it.

Question 8

is it possible to get c.diff 6 months after last dose of antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is: C diff can happen at any time and it can be 6 months after an antibiotic dose.  Some people never have symptoms or they may be mild.

Question 9

please clarify why c-diff happens more often after ending antibiotics vs. while still on them? tested for c-diff while on meds, neg. now done, worried

Accepted Answer

No need to worry: There&#x27;s a difference between Clotridium difficile symptoms and testing. When antibioitcs suppress other bacteria, it can take several days for C diff to grow to enough to cause symptoms, which might happen even after the antibiotic is stopped. But if a stool test was negative, then you had no C diff in your intestines at all. In that case, once stopping it you are at little or no risk of symptoms.

Question 10

best antibiotic for c diff?

Accepted Answer

Just two: 1st stop the antibiotic that caused it.  Sometimes that's enough. The usual starting  is Flagyl while more severe cases require oral vancomycin.  There are several other antibiotics occasionally used.

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Doctor answers about:

C diff after antibiotic

A member asked:

How common is it to develop c diff after antibiotics? penicillin and/or cephalosporin ?

A member asked:

Going to be tested for c diff after antibiotic use. if i end up being tx for it, is it okay to try for pregnancy next month? recurrence risk? worried!

A member asked:

It seem i have a bit of c diff after antibiotic and i dont go constantly but every 2 days loose stools and c diff symptoms.should i recover naturally?

A member asked:

Do some people get c-diff after stopping antibiotics due to not practicing hygiene/handwashing etc.- not realizing they're still at risk for while?

A member asked:

History of c diff after taking antibiotics. if i still have the spores, what causes them to germinate? more antibiotics? hopefully not stress? thanks.

A member asked:

Suspect i may have c diff after long course of antibiotics. no fever, just going 8-10 times today and some cramping. er or wait till morning?

A member asked:

How long after finishing antibiotics would c diff appear?

A member asked:

Is it possible to get c.diff 6 months after last dose of antibiotics?

A member asked:

Please clarify why c-diff happens more often after ending antibiotics vs. while still on them? tested for c-diff while on meds, neg. now done, worried

A member asked:

Best antibiotic for c diff?

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