It can be a long route to getting past a C. diff infection. You might notice every single thing in your digestion that changes even after you are done with treatment.
That is understandable. C. diff may come back after treatment. This is what a c diff recurrence is called.
Having a sense of what is normal allows you to spot trouble without jumping to conclusions.
The Initial Week or Two Following Treatment
Your digestion will not recover so quickly. Your bowel habits may take some time to settle, as the infection and its treatment can disrupt your gut.
Nonetheless, a state of explicit repeating loose bowels after feeling better is something to hear out.
Other symptoms that are associated with a recurrence may include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness
- Signs of dehydration
This severity is subjective and differs from person to person.
Return of Symptoms Not Always a Recurrence
This is an important distinction.
Post-infectious bowel alterations can occasionally lead to diarrhea or an upset stomach even after the condition has been cured, as in the case of C. diff. Other GI disorders can produce similar symptoms too.
So, do NOT use symptoms alone to decide if C. diff recurrence has occurred.
A healthcare provider can assess your symptoms, treatment history, and life situations to help you determine whether a diagnosis is concerning enough for evaluation.
C. Diff: Why Does It Come Back?
One of those effects is antibiotics and the merge with gut microbiome. The analgesic reduces the pathogenic bacteria, but also resorts to good bacteria that protect the colon.
Similarly, the spores of C. diff are incredibly hardy. They can persist in the environment, and may inspire a further infection in suitable conditions.
Not everyone faces the same risk. The risk of recurrence is higher for people who have had a C. diff infection previously, with recent antibiotic use, age above 65 years, underlying disease, and reduced immune function; for more information on these topics additional study is needed.
What Happens After a Recurrence?
If an infection gets cleared yet returns and a specialist doubts that it is the same pressure as in the first episode, therapy might also be different from preliminary episode.
Treatment may involve a course of targeted antibiotics, depending on your situation. For those who have multiple recurrences, however, there may be alternatives that include therapies aimed at restoring a healthier gut microbiome.
When choosing an approach, your healthcare provider will take into account your medical history and past treatments.
Protecting Yourself Going Forward
While you cannot mitigate every risk, reasonable precautions serve you well.
Only use antibiotics when prescribed, and take them exactly as directed. Prior to starting an antibiotic, let every healthcare provider know that you have a history of C. diff.
Handwashing with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before handling food or eating.
A Possible Return Should Not Be Dismissed
Contact your healthcare provider in the event of severe diarrhea returning following treatment. Get emergency medical help for severe dehydration, a high fever, and severe abdominal pain, or bleeding.
If C. diff starts to recur, you want to catch it early so that you are able to get the proper evaluation and treatment instead of attempting to self-manage a potentially serious infection.
