What is the new treatment for C. diff?

“Dificid is an effective new treatment option for patients who develop Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.” Dificid should be taken orally two times a day for 10 days, with or without food, the FDA says. The drug is the first antibiotic in nearly 30 years to be approved to fight the sometimes deadly C.

Can you ever get rid of C. diff?

People with Clostridium difficile infections typically recover within two weeks of starting antibiotic treatment. However, many people become reinfected and need additional therapy. Most recurrences happen one to three weeks after stopping antibiotic therapy, although some occur as long as two or three months later.

How do I know if C. diff is gone?

Clostridioides difficile is diagnosed by testing the stool of patients who are having frequent liquid diarrhea such as 3 or more stools in a 24 hour period. In a severe case, a procedure called flexible sigmoidoscopy may be performed to confirm that the lower part of the intestine (colon) is inflamed.

What is C diff called now?

C. diff (also known as Clostridioides difficile or C. difficile) is a germ (bacterium) that causes severe diarrhea and colitis (an inflammation of the colon). It’s estimated to cause almost half a million infections in the United States each year.

What are the symptoms of C diff?

When you have C. diff, the symptoms can range from mild to severe. In more serious infections, there may be blood or pus in the stool. This can happen because C. diff can cause the colon — also called the large intestine — to get inflamed. When this happens, tissue in the colon can bleed or make pus.

What is the difference between epidemic and non-epidemic strains of C diff?

In 2002, an epidemic strain of C. diff emerged, causing more severe disease with inflammation of the colon (colitis) and an increase in deaths. This strain adheres better to the intestine and produces more toxin, which is responsible for causing illness. Non-epidemic strains may cause less severe disease.

What is Clostridium diff?

C. diff is short for Clostridium difficile, an infectious bacterium that causes a condition called clostridium difficile colitis.