So we've been having renovations done on our house since October and have been staying at my mother-in-laws for the time being since she lives in town. She came down with bronchitis a couple weeks back and had to go on antibiotics. Since Sunday she's been having diarrhea and found out today she has C.Diff, and it was from her antibiotics. My wife is freaking out and wants us to go stay in a hotel for a while. She's more worried about my 6 and 9 year old catching it than anything. House won't be done until after the New Year but I don't really want to spend the money on a hotel room.
Anyone familiar with this bacterial infection? My wife claims it can be life-threatening.
What does not make sense is that you say she contracted it from her antibiotics. That simply does not sound plausible and you may want to clarify your understanding of that, to avoid some other source of infection that is not being taken into account.
However, it can be controlled with special antibiotics. The problem is they are expensive. But so many people are coming down with CDiff that alternatives are emerging
The real key is to get it right away. My GF always keeps extra antiobiotics so she can start taking them as soon as the symptoms start without having to wait to see the doctor. Problem is once you take the antibiotic the test for CDiff is nullified and insurance won’t cover the antibiotics.
So, it is very treatable but it can be a headache dealing with the medical and insurance bureaucracy.
It is basically nasty but it seems now that it is fairly treatable.
"Difficile" means difficult in French - as in hard to get rid of or overcome - and Closteridium is the same genus of bacteria that give us the killer known as botulism.
Get the hell out of there!!! It's prolly more fatal to kids than adults...
What does not make sense is that you say she contracted it from her antibiotics. That simply does not sound plausible and you may want to clarify your understanding of that, to avoid some other source of infection that is not being taken into account.
Her dr said she contracted it while being on the antibiotics she was taking for her bronchitis. Wife is gonna call the kids pediatrician and get his thoughts on what we should do.
It's a HORRIBLE bug. HORRIBLE. Truly horrible. But it's only really fatal in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
There are four courses of action:
1) Vancomycin
2) ...I forgot what this one is called
3) Difficid
4) Fecal transplant
And I think they came out with a new one. Like Fyvanc or some shit (no pun intended). Difficid, from what my GI told me, is the most novel drug and the most effective. It got rid of my c. diff the second time around and I think I haven't had it since.
When you take antibiotics, it's like dropping an atomic bomb on that forest. Yes, it will kill the "bad" bacteria, but it will also wipe out the "good" bacteria that keeps the bad ones inline. So when the good bacteria is killed off, the bad ones like c. diff can grow back uncheckered.
Flagyl is usually the first course of action (mainly because it's the cheapest). Doesn't always work and I actually had terrible side-effects from using it.
Then I used vancomycin, which did the job, but the c.diff ended up coming back. Then I took difficid, which was VERY expensive, but you can always call the pharm. company and see if they'll work with you.
I had to get a fecal transplant because no antibitiotic would keep the bug dead.
2. Infection doesn't usually occur in healthy folks even when present, but when it does its a consequence of ABX wiping out other GI flora.
Sum: don't freak ,like MRSA , carriage is pretty normal, and if not clinically with large volume ,frequent diarrhea, not relevant.
Tests are too sensitive these days, and we get alot of [+] reports that represent colonization/carriage, and not infection. gotta be the right scenario.
I'd get out if it was just me, add kids to the mix and it's a no brainer. Fecal transplants aren't that cool
She says as long as you practice good hand hygiene AND the mother in law uses a separate bathroom - she thinks you'll be ok.
Patients with Clostridium difficile colitis are placed in isolation,and anyone entering the room is, to prevent the spores that exist in that room from being transported out of that room and into the general hospital environment.
This is all designed to prevent other hospitalized patients, many on antibiotics, or in otherwise fragile heath from getting C.diff- not from having family members get it.
I have UC (possibly Crohn's) as well. All the best to your wife.
Brutal infection. Very dangerous.
Brutal infection. Very dangerous.
It's a normal part of the gut microbiome. C Diff Colitis occurrs when the microbiome's natural balance is perturbed (by anitbiotics or immune suppression) and C Diff overgrows disproportionately.
The poste above was correct. Good hand hygiene is sufficient. And obviously don't take or give your kids antibiotics unless its really necessary.
They treated me w/Flagyl and that took care of it..
About a year later, my wife, after my 4 yr old son (at the time) had cleared his bowel, went into the bathroom and said "I don't like the smell of that, I am taking him to the Dr. immediately" and he tested positive for it as well. I don't think they treated him with Flagyl, though.
Hospitals have new cleaning protocols aimed at containing these things, but it still happens.
I'd say, spend the money on the hotel, you really don't want to take the chance that everything will go as medically planned if somebody gets it.
Thats fair. It is contagious if someone's hygiene isn't the greatest. Luckily, I don't think I spread my c. diff to anyone or else I'd have to make some pretty awkward phone calls. :P
It can kill- most susceptible are the extremes of age, and the exposure to antibiotics could have been months before the onset of symptoms.
It's not the bug, its the toxins that cause disease.
If you're immunocompetent and practice good hand hygiene, you should be okay.
It's a HORRIBLE bug. HORRIBLE. Truly horrible. But it's only really fatal in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
There are four courses of action:
1) Vancomycin
2) ...I forgot what this one is called
3) Difficid
4) Fecal transplant
And I think they came out with a new one. Like Fyvanc or some shit (no pun intended). Difficid, from what my GI told me, is the most novel drug and the most effective. It got rid of my c. diff the second time around and I think I haven't had it since.
Wtf? Fecal transplant? You have to explain that one to me ... please.
Quote:
I actually thought I might have it again, but that's another story.
It's a HORRIBLE bug. HORRIBLE. Truly horrible. But it's only really fatal in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
There are four courses of action:
1) Vancomycin
2) ...I forgot what this one is called
3) Difficid
4) Fecal transplant
And I think they came out with a new one. Like Fyvanc or some shit (no pun intended). Difficid, from what my GI told me, is the most novel drug and the most effective. It got rid of my c. diff the second time around and I think I haven't had it since.
Wtf? Fecal transplant? You have to explain that one to me ... please.
Its literally what it sounds like. Taking fecal matter from one person and putting it in another to try and promote healthy bacteria.
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In comment 14217828 Anakim said:
Quote:
I actually thought I might have it again, but that's another story.
It's a HORRIBLE bug. HORRIBLE. Truly horrible. But it's only really fatal in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
There are four courses of action:
1) Vancomycin
2) ...I forgot what this one is called
3) Difficid
4) Fecal transplant
And I think they came out with a new one. Like Fyvanc or some shit (no pun intended). Difficid, from what my GI told me, is the most novel drug and the most effective. It got rid of my c. diff the second time around and I think I haven't had it since.
Wtf? Fecal transplant? You have to explain that one to me ... please.
Its literally what it sounds like. Taking fecal matter from one person and putting it in another to try and promote healthy bacteria.
Thanks Jg ... that's what I thought it was but, it sounded like I had it wrong.
ooof ... I hope I never end up with C.Diff. I never even heard of it before today.
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In comment 14222042 short lease said:
Quote:
In comment 14217828 Anakim said:
Quote:
I actually thought I might have it again, but that's another story.
It's a HORRIBLE bug. HORRIBLE. Truly horrible. But it's only really fatal in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
There are four courses of action:
1) Vancomycin
2) ...I forgot what this one is called
3) Difficid
4) Fecal transplant
And I think they came out with a new one. Like Fyvanc or some shit (no pun intended). Difficid, from what my GI told me, is the most novel drug and the most effective. It got rid of my c. diff the second time around and I think I haven't had it since.
Wtf? Fecal transplant? You have to explain that one to me ... please.
Its literally what it sounds like. Taking fecal matter from one person and putting it in another to try and promote healthy bacteria.
Thanks Jg ... that's what I thought it was but, it sounded like I had it wrong.
ooof ... I hope I never end up with C.Diff. I never even heard of it before today.
I've never done it, but it's a lot less gross than you think. The poop is obviously vetted and sanitized to make sure it doesn't contain any diseases or anything like that. And it's in a capsule form so it's not like you even see the shit and I'm pretty sure it doesn't give you shitty breath.
I've been feeling absolutely awful since May so hopefully the test reveals what's wrong or else I'll need a flex sig and/or a camera capsule.