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C. diff has many names.

It is a germ ( a bacterium) that causes diarrhea and colitis, which is an inflammation of the colon.

Symptoms can range from just diarrhea to life-threatening. C. diff is a highly contagious infection.

That is why it is the leading bacterial infection among hospitalized patients.

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Clostridioides difficile is a bacterium.

The infection takes place in the longest part of the intestine. The bacterium is often called C. difficile or C.diff as well as Clostridium difficile.

C.diff can affect anyone however some of the strains affect young people and children more.

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C. diff produces spores that are capable of being dormant and surviving harsh conditions.

This makes the pathogen resistant to routine cleaning.

Colonization with C. diff is more common than the infection itself.

Patients exhibit an asymptomatic of infection and test positive for the organism or its toxin.

The risk of disease varies since not all C. diff strains produce a toxin that makes you sick.

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C. diff occurs more following antibiotic therapy or hospitalization.

Antibiotics disrupt the healthy gut bacteria.

This allows for the perfect conditions for bad bacteria to move in and promote CDI.

The bacteria enter the body through the mouth.

The intestines house a wide range of bacteria which in turn keep the body from acquiring infections.

Antibiotics tend to destroy some of the healthy bacteria that we have in the body as well as the bad ones.

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So bad bacteria enter the body through the mouth.

It begins to reproduce as soon as it hits the small intestine. One of the main symptoms of this bacterium is watery stool. Symptoms generally begin anywhere from five to ten days after infection.

These will range from mild to severe.

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On the chance that the patient has a milder case of C. diff: they will have watery diarrhea three to four times a day and mild belly cramping.

If the patient is unfortunate and has a more severe case: they will experience dehydration, possible hospitalization, belly cramping, fever, nausea, increased WBC, kidney failure, loss of appetite, weight loss, patches of raw tissues, and watery diarrhea up to 15 times a day.

When the infection becomes more severe this can cause the colon to become inflamed.

This can lead to toxic megacolon and it can cause sepsis, but this is not common with C. diff infection.

Without the help of healthy bacteria, C. diff can get out of control quickly.

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Antibiotics are used to treat the infection.

Commonly used antibiotics are Vancomycin and Fidaxomicin.

Antibody-based therapy known as bezlotoxumab is a human antibody against C. diff toxin B.

A newer treatment in clinical trials is Fecal microbiota transplant, which allows another person's (donor) stool in your colon inserted through your rectum.

Probiotics are supplements or foods that have microorganisms to improve the good bacteria.

Surgery to remove part of the diseased part of the colon may be an option for severe cases.

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While in the hospital healthcare professionals will use certain precautions such as wearing a gown and gloves to help prevent the spread of C. diff.

They will clean their hands before and after caring for you.

If you are in the hospital wash your hands with soap and water every time you use the bathroom and before you eat.

C. diff germs are carried from person to person in poop

C. diff can also live on people's skin.

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Studies show that shorter antibiotic courses are effective and reduce your risk of CDI.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water when using the bathroom.

Regularly clean areas that may become contaminated with C. diffcile.

Limit prescribed antacids and request education about prescribed antibiotics from your doctor.

If someone in your house has C. diff wash items before others use them.

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In summary, be sure to only take prescribed antibiotics for a short duration by your doctor.

C. diff can affect any age but it mostly affects people over the age of 65.

Remember to ask about the side effects of the antibiotics that your doctor has prescribed you so that you are educated.

When diagnosed with C. diff either in a hospital or at home, make sure everyone is washing hands and you are maintaining a clean environment. This is important to your recovery.

Drink plenty of fluid to make sure you do not get dehydrated.