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Is Diarrhea A Symptom Of C. Difficile Infection?
Question: I was diagnosed with acute diverticulitis six weeks ago. Still feel terrible six weeks later. Told me it was actually C- Diff which hospitalized me for three months in 2015. How can it be CDiff if I do not have diarrea?
Brief Answer:
It is possible, clinical follow up, possibility to change medication with D
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
I understand it can be difficult be think having an infection with C-difficile without diarrhea. There is generally a risk of recurrence when one has had a previous exposure or infection with C - difficile. Generally, most of the patients that experience recurrence, might have other symptoms most of the time (abdominal cramps, fatigue, nausea, vomiting) and might not have diarrhea. Indeed, over 40% of patients with a second episode of C - difficile infection will not have any diarrhea.
It is important to take the medication appropriately. A proper follow up is required for in case you do not improve clinically, or other blood and stool parameters are not reassurance, other different , more effective medication like injectable Vancomycin should be tried.
For now however, I would advice adherence to medication and proper control from your doctor. Monitoring exactly how you feel is important. Check out for fatigue, nausea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal pains. If any of these remains constant or intensifies, you might need to signal this to your treating physician for reevaluation.
It is possible to have a C -difficile infection with no diarrhea. No worries.
Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health. Please, do feel free asking further questions in case of need. I would be glad to contribute to your well being.
Dr Bain
It is possible, clinical follow up, possibility to change medication with D
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
I understand it can be difficult be think having an infection with C-difficile without diarrhea. There is generally a risk of recurrence when one has had a previous exposure or infection with C - difficile. Generally, most of the patients that experience recurrence, might have other symptoms most of the time (abdominal cramps, fatigue, nausea, vomiting) and might not have diarrhea. Indeed, over 40% of patients with a second episode of C - difficile infection will not have any diarrhea.
It is important to take the medication appropriately. A proper follow up is required for in case you do not improve clinically, or other blood and stool parameters are not reassurance, other different , more effective medication like injectable Vancomycin should be tried.
For now however, I would advice adherence to medication and proper control from your doctor. Monitoring exactly how you feel is important. Check out for fatigue, nausea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal pains. If any of these remains constant or intensifies, you might need to signal this to your treating physician for reevaluation.
It is possible to have a C -difficile infection with no diarrhea. No worries.
Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health. Please, do feel free asking further questions in case of need. I would be glad to contribute to your well being.
Dr Bain
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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