Clostridium difficile infection

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.

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