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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For C-diff Infection In Pregnancy

Hello, I am 31 and 10 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child, 3rd pregnancy (early miscarriage in Jan 2011). I think I have a c-diff infection and am worried if it will harm the baby and what the treatment would be. I have had one before and I think I have had this one for almost 2 years. I have my first OB appointment in 2 weeks. Am I okay to wait till then to tell my doctor about it? Thanks so much!
Sat, 17 Oct 2015
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OBGYN 's  Response
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.

C. Diff (clostridium difficult) colitis, or pseudo membranous colitis, is not common outside the hospital because it usually follows antibiotic treatment with certain IV medications in hospitalized patients. Less often it can follow antibiotic treatment with oral medication such as Clindamyin. The symptoms include abdominal pain, gas, low grade fever and bloody mucousy diarrhea.

If you truly have those symptoms and risk factors, pregnant or not, you do need treatment urgently. The antibiotics used to treat C. diff are safe in pregnancy. The way to confirm if you have it is for a stool test, which they can do in an emergency room.

However, C. Diff if left untreated can lead to colon perforation and sepsis, so it is doubtful if you have had symptoms for two years that you have the correct presumed diagnosis.

Proper consultation with your OB doctor and possibly a GI specialist would be your best option in that case.

I hope I was able to answer your question adequately and that this information is helpful. Please seek the advice of a local physician to do the proper tests to make an accurate diagnosis.

Best wishes for the rest of the pregnancy, Dr. Brown
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Suggest Remedy For C-diff Infection In Pregnancy

Hello, and I hope I can help you today. C. Diff (clostridium difficult) colitis, or pseudo membranous colitis, is not common outside the hospital because it usually follows antibiotic treatment with certain IV medications in hospitalized patients. Less often it can follow antibiotic treatment with oral medication such as Clindamyin. The symptoms include abdominal pain, gas, low grade fever and bloody mucousy diarrhea. If you truly have those symptoms and risk factors, pregnant or not, you do need treatment urgently. The antibiotics used to treat C. diff are safe in pregnancy. The way to confirm if you have it is for a stool test, which they can do in an emergency room. However, C. Diff if left untreated can lead to colon perforation and sepsis, so it is doubtful if you have had symptoms for two years that you have the correct presumed diagnosis. Proper consultation with your OB doctor and possibly a GI specialist would be your best option in that case. I hope I was able to answer your question adequately and that this information is helpful. Please seek the advice of a local physician to do the proper tests to make an accurate diagnosis. Best wishes for the rest of the pregnancy, Dr. Brown