C.difficile is a bacterium which causes a range of symptoms from diarrhoea to inflammation of colon which can be life threatening.
Signs and Symptoms:
The signs and symptoms that indicate severe clostridium difficile or c. difficile infection are:
- 10-15 time diarrhea on a daily basis
- Pain in the abdomen and cramps which might be severe.
- Feces will be having pus or blood
- Fever
- Nausea
- Appetite will be lost
- Dehydration
- Loss of weight
- abdomen will be swollen
- Renal failure may occur
- Leukocytosis:The count of white blood cell will increase.
Risk factors:
What are the Risk Factors for Clostridium Difficile or C. Difficile Infection?
There is some factor that increases the risk of clostridium difficile or c. difficile infection:
The risk factors associated with Antibiotics and other medications intake are:
- Recently or currently taking antibiotics.
- Consuming a wide range of antibiotics targeting different bacteria
- Multiple uses of antibiotics
- Long term intake of antibiotics
- Medications that aim to reduce acids in the stomach including Proton pump inhibitors. (PPIs).
- Long Term Stay in a Facility for Health Care
- Exposure to long term health care facilities for a lengthy span of time may cause infection of clostridium difficile.
- Another factor for getting infected with clostridium difficile is old age.
In a research, it was indicated that the risk of C. difficile infection was higher ten times in individuals older than 65 years as compared to those of younger individuals.