What is Clostridium Difficile?

September 22, 2022
C. diff

Earlier this year, PGA pro Jordan Spieth was sick  — and not with COVID-19. He was cut from the Farmers Insurance Open, and a trip to the hospital revealed that he had clostridium difficile, often known as C. diff.

C. diff is a bacteria that causes an infection in the large intestine — your colon. The result is diarrhea that could be life-threatening. 

Individuals often get C. diff as a side effect of taking antibiotics. In Spieth’s case, he had been sick for several weeks, and he took antibiotics to treat a sinus infection. The antibiotics ultimately impacted his digestive system.  

Symptoms of C. diff may start within a few days after taking an antibiotic, or it may take a few weeks for symptoms to appear. Symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea, or loose, water stool, for several days
  • Fever
  • Stomach tenderness and discomfort
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea

C. diff is not to be taken lightly. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated to cause almost half a million infections in the United States each year, and in severe cases, it can cause death, especially in individuals over 65. Because of this, it is important to get prompt medical care as needed. 

C. diff is also contagious, and it can spread easily. It’s also worth noting that you can get C. diff again and again. 

“This is a common illness, and it can come on even without exposure to antibiotics, though that is the most common cause,” says Dr. Nadeem Hussain, medical director of Middlesex Health’s Center for Digestive Health. “Other possible causes include exposure to someone who was ill or having a weakened immune system. Either way, if symptoms occur, it needs to be addressed.” 

To determine if you have C. diff, a stool sample is required. Treatment for C. diff may mean that you take a specific antibiotic to treat this infection for at least 10 to 14 days. If your condition is serious enough, you may be admitted to the hospital, or for recurrent or severe infections you may require more advanced treatments such as stool transplant. 

To help avoid C. diff, or to not get it again, you should talk with your medical provider to avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics. You should also wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water every time you use the bathroom and before you eat. (This helps minimize your risk of getting COVID-19 too!)

Are you at Risk?

C. diff infections are most likely to impact:

  • Those 65 and older who take antibiotics and receive medical care
  • People staying in a hospital or nursing home for a long period of time
  • Individuals with weakened immune systems or who have had a previous C. diff infection
When to see a doctor

Loose stools and getting diarrhea while taking antibiotics is not uncommon and is not automatically cause for concern. However, you should make an appointment with your medical provider if you have three or more watery stools a day and if your symptoms last more than two days. You may also want to make an appointment if you develop a new fever, experience severe abdominal pain or cramping or if you notice blood in your stool. 

Featured Provider

Nadeem Hussain, MD

Nadeem Hussain, MD

Locations

  • Middletown, CT
    860-347-4620
  • Essex, CT
    860-347-4620

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