What is C diff?
Clostridium difficile (C diff) bacteria exists invisibly all around us. It’s in the water, air, soil as well as human and animal feces. It can also be found in the human intestines, although many people never suffer from any symptoms.
The most common reason why people experience negative symptoms from C diff is through taking antibiotics. Antibiotics kill off harmful bacteria and good bacteria, or probiotics. Consequentially, this disrupts the balanced microbiome of GI tract and allows C diff to proliferate rapidly. As colonies of C diff grow in the colon, the intestinal lining may become inflamed, resulting in colitis and the symptoms below.
C diff Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a mild C diff infection include:
- Watery stools or diarrhea at least three times per day for a period of two or more days
- Moderate stomach cramps and tenderness
Signs and symptoms of a severe C diff infection include:
- Watery stools or diarrhea between ten and fifteen times a day
- Severe stomach cramps
- Increased heart rate
- Pus or blood in the stool
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
- Increased white blood cell count
- Kidney failure
If you are suffering from a severe case of C diff, you may need to be hospitalized if you are dehydrated and your colon has become inflamed. It is important to incorporate a good diet for C diff recovery.
C diff Stool Appearance
What does C diff look like?
Base on the bristol stool chart below, C diff looks like number 6. C diff diarrhea is usually watery and, rarely, bloody. Bowel movements that contain blood and mucus are concerning and may be indicative of more severe C diff disease.
What does C diff Smell Like?
C diff diarrhea will have a very strong odor that differs from typical diarrhea. Many people report a smell of volatile aromatic acids in the diarrhea. It also has been said to have an unusual odor that some might describe as sickeningly sweet.
C diff Diagnosis
The exact incubation period for C diff is not known, but medical experts believe that it is about seven days providing the conditions are favorable for the bacteria to grow. However, a person may acquire the bacteria without experiencing any symptoms and carry the bacteria until an infection develops.
If your doctor suspects you have a C diff infection, then he or she will recommend one or more of the following tests.
- Stool tests: C diff bacteria release toxins which can be detected in a stool sample.
- Colon examination: In certain cases, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to examine areas of inflammation the colon.
- Imaging tests: Your doctor may order imaging tests if he or she is concerned about possible complications of C diff. This assessment may include computerized tomography (CT) scan or an abdominal X-ray. These tests can detect such complications as a perforation in your colon, toxic megacolon, expanding bowel, or a thickening of the colon wall.
Read next: How Long Is C diff Contagious for?
If you have c Diff you make consider taking a probiotic supplement. Probiotics may help with diarrhea.
About the Author:
Dr. Bryan Do, D.O. is an osteopathic physician whose research interests include gastroenterology, immunology, and dermatology. He is particularly interested in the role of probiotics in the gut-brain-skin axis and has written many articles on the topic. He graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before graduating from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana and becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Osteopathic physicians are taught to take a holistic approach to medicine and to consider mind, body, and spirit when treating a patient. Osteopathic physicians receive training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) in addition to the standard rigorous medical school curriculum. Both physicians with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree as well as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) can practice medicine.