A member asked:

Eat healthy. exercise. avoid smoking. why did i get clostridium (c diff) infection?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Unrelated: Clostridium difficile is present in the normal colon. Disease often occurs when antibiotics wipe out other normally present bacteria and allow cl. Diff to multiply and produce toxins which damage the bowel wall. It has nothing to do with smoking or diet directly.

Answered 3/7/2012

6k views

Thank
Dr. Arthur Heller answered

Specializes in Gastroenterology

Unrelated factors: C diff: bacteria that normally lives in many peoples colons. Can be dormant (spores). When "peaceful co-existence" is unbalanced, c diff can overgrow, make toxin, cause watery diarrhea that can become severe; could get worse, even life threatening. Factors include antibiotic (ab) use (even 2mos previously), recent nursing home/ hosp adm, ibd, preg, contact with. Wash hands, no ab unless needed.Rx.

Answered 3/6/2018

6k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Can taking probiotics prevent clostridium difficile infections?

3 doctors weighed in across 3 answers