Question 1

what sort of disease is a clostridium difficile infection?

Accepted Answer

Colon infection: Clostridium difficile infection is a growing epidemic where the colon is infected by a bacteria called, you guessed it, clostridium difficile. Although some people may be asymptomatic, it usually causes diarrhea and can lead to a life-threatening condition called megacolon. Treatment of late has become more and more complicated due to antibiotic resistance. Seek an md if you have this.

Question 2

is there a medical cure for clostridium difficile?

Accepted Answer

Yes, more antibiotic: Presumably, you're referring to c difficile colitis. First, stop the offending antibiotic. Second, if that isn't enough, consider oral metronidazole. Third, if that's not enough, move on to oral vancomycin. Check out http://www.Mayoclinic.Com/health/c-difficile/ds00736/dsection=treatments-and-drugs and if all else fails, consider fecal transplant! probiotics are worth a try, too!

Question 3

what are the symptoms of c- diff (clostridium difficile)?

Accepted Answer

Diarrhea: Diarrhea is the main symptom.

Question 4

what is the definition or description of: clostridium difficile toxin?

Accepted Answer

Toxin: Clostridium difficile is a slow growing, spore forming bacterium that can cause infection in humans, especially in the setting of antibiotic use.  The toxin produced causes a colitis, resulting in diarrhea that is often bloody.

Question 5

how to donate my feces to a clostridium difficile pill?

Accepted Answer

C.diff treatment: Interesting you know about how effective stool donations can be for helping C. diff patients.  It works very well.  C. diff is a horrible and devastating disease, killing up to 15% of victims according to the CDC. You may want to freeze your own stool if you're worried about it or concerned for a relative.  Obviously keeping that separate from food is a must. There are no labs doing this yet.

Question 6

why are clostridium difficile infections hard to treat?

Accepted Answer

It produces spores: Partly it is the persons immune system and general health that makes it recur more often.  The main problem is it comes back after treatment.  Clostridium produces endospores.  Endospore is is a tough structure in which the bacteria is dormant and not reproducing.  Antibiotics don't affect the spores so after the symptoms are gone, the spores activate and  then cause reinfection.

Question 7

what are the tests for clostridium difficile infection?

Accepted Answer

C. diff: Both the bacterial toxin and the gene coding for the toxin can be found in the diarrheal stool.  Additionally, the diarrhea has a peculiar mousy/musty aroma.

Question 8

what are the symptoms of clostridium difficile infection?

Accepted Answer

Fever diarrhea: C. Difficile is a common bacteria that causes problems when the norm/friendly gut bacteria is weakened or gone due to antibiotics usually. Symptoms are abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, often with blood present. It can be a serious and even deadly infection, so please get checked if you have these symptoms.

Question 9

what is the incidence of clostridium difficile infection in the us?

Accepted Answer

C.Diff: Approximately 20% of individuals who are hospitalized acquire c difficile during hospitalization, and more than 30% of these patients develop diarrhea. Thus, c difficile colitis is currently one of the most common nosocomial infections.

Question 10

what is the likelihood of a relapse with clostridium difficile infections?

Accepted Answer

Common: There is a small percentage of c. Dificile infections that recur so it does happen.  However with newer treatments it happens less.  You may want to look into sarcomyces boullardi[(forgive me if mispelled) or florastor which for a long time was used in europe to treat c. Dif infections...With huge success.  Check out your local healthfood store; or ask your doctor for more info.

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Clostridium difficile associated disease

A member asked:

What sort of disease is a clostridium difficile infection?

A member asked:

Is there a medical cure for clostridium difficile?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of c- diff (clostridium difficile)?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: clostridium difficile toxin?

A member asked:

How to donate my feces to a clostridium difficile pill?

A member asked:

Why are clostridium difficile infections hard to treat?

A member asked:

What are the tests for clostridium difficile infection?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of clostridium difficile infection?

A member asked:

What is the incidence of clostridium difficile infection in the us?

A member asked:

What is the likelihood of a relapse with clostridium difficile infections?

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