What is the treatment for Clostridium difficile infection?
The decision to treat Clostridium difficile infection, and the type of treatment, depends on the severity of the illness. No treatment is needed if you have no symptoms but are known to 'carry' the bacteria in your gut. If symptoms develop:
- If at all possible, the antibiotic that has caused the problem should be stopped. This will allow the normal harmless bacteria to thrive again in the gut. The 'overgrowth' of Clostridium difficile should then reduce and symptoms often ease.
- Stopping the antibiotic may be the only treatment necessary if you just have mild or moderate diarrhoea. In fact, many people will have stopped the antibiotic anyway as the course of antibiotics may have just been for a few days.
- People with more severe diarrhoea or colitis will normally be given an antibiotic that is known to kill Clostridium difficile. This is usually vancomycin or metronidazole. Symptoms then usually ease within 2-3 days. In severe cases, prompt treatment with vancomycin or metronidazole may ease any colitis and prevent perforation of the colon.
- In the small number of cases that progress into fulminant colitis, surgery may be needed, especially if the colon perforates.
What is the outlook (prognosis)?
Most people with Clostridium difficile infection recover, even without any treatment. However, the diarrhoea can be unpleasant and in some cases can last for several weeks. If needed, treatment with metronidazole or vancomycin gives a good chance of clearing the infection quickly.
Severe colitis due to Clostridium difficile infection occurs in some cases. This accounts for most of the serious complications such as perforation of the colon, and death. Most people who die of Clostridium difficile infection are elderly people who are frail or ill with other things, and who develop the infection during a hospital stay.
Can Clostridium difficile infection be prevented?
Strict personal hygiene such as washing hands after going to the toilet can reduce the spread of this and other infections. Good cleaning practices and strict hygiene measures in hospitals helps to prevent contamination of equipment and personnel with bacteria and spores.
References
- Health Protection Agency Information about Clostridium difficile. Various dates. Website accessed January 2007
- Craig A Gronczewski and Jonathan P Katz Clostridium difficile Colitis Emedicine Article dated August 10th 2006
- Susan M. Poutanen and Andrew E. Simor Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults CMAJ July 6, 2004; 171 (1).
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margaret sinclair, about 1 year
I work with the elderly. someone was diagnosed with cdiff but we were told this was nothing to wory about what extra precautions should we be taking with this client and can it spread easily to other clients eg from the toilet seat?
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Norman Sully, 9 months
The detail of the articles is very good and is reassuring. I am 75, and, according to my self diagnosis, I have been suffering from this condition for about 4 weeks. I have seen my doctor and will be attending hospital for an investigation within the next 9 days. Thank you once more for the articles. Norman Sully.
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