How can I reduce the risk of a C. diff recurrence after treatment?

Maintain good hand hygiene, avoid unnecessary antibiotics, and consider a probiotic or fecal microbiota transplant if you have recurrent episodes. Discuss with your provider whether a tapering or pulsed vancomycin regimen is appropriate.

What tests do doctors use to confirm a C. diff infection?

Clinics typically collect a stool sample for a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or a toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA). A stool culture may also be done if initial tests are inconclusive.

What are the first‑line treatments for a moderate C. diff infection?

The standard therapy is oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin for 10 days. For severe cases, intravenous metronidazole may be added, but vancomycin remains the preferred option.

What signs indicate a severe or life‑threatening C. diff complication?

Look for sudden worsening of abdominal pain, high fever (>38.5 °C), bloody or coffee‑ground stools, rapid weight loss, or signs of sepsis such as confusion or low blood pressure. If any of these occur, seek emergency care immediately.

C. diff Infections

C. diff is a bacterium that causes nearly half a million illnesses annually, primarily affecting individuals who have recently taken antibiotics.

What is C. diff?

C. diff is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. You may see it called other names, such as Clostridioides difficile (the new name), Clostridium difficile (an older name), and C. difficile.

What causes C. diff infections?

C. diff bacteria are commonly found in the environment, but infections typically occur when a person is taking antibiotics. Antibiotics kill the good germs that protect the body against infection, and this effect can last for several months. If you come in contact with C. diff germs during this time, you can get sick. You are more likely to get an infection if you take antibiotics for more than a week.

The infection spreads when people touch food, surfaces, or objects contaminated with feces from a person who has C. diff.

Who is more likely to get a C. diff infection?

You are more likely to get a C. diff infection if you:

Are taking antibiotics
Are 65 or older
Recently stayed in a hospital or nursing home
Have a weakened immune system
Have had a previous infection with C. diff or were exposed to it

What are the symptoms of C. diff infections?

The symptoms of C. diff infections include:

Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) or frequent bowel movements for several days
Fever
Stomach tenderness or pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea

Severe diarrhea causes a loss of fluids, which can put you at risk for dehydration.

How are C. diff infections diagnosed?

If you have been taking antibiotics recently and have symptoms, you should see your health care provider. Your provider will ask about your symptoms and perform a lab test of your stool. In some cases, you might also need an imaging test such as an x-ray or CT scan to check for complications.

What are the treatments for C. diff infections?

Certain antibiotics can treat C. diff infections. If you were already taking a different antibiotic when you got C. diff, your provider may ask you to stop taking that one.

If you have a severe case, you may need to stay in the hospital. If you have very severe pain or serious complications, you may need surgery to remove the diseased part of your colon.

About 1 in 6 people who have had a C. diff infection will get it again within 2 to 8 weeks; this is called recurrent C. diff. For people who keep getting these infections, treatments such as fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) have shown promising results by using stool from a healthy donor to restore the balance of healthy bacteria in your intestines.

Can C. diff infections be prevented?

There are steps you can take to try to prevent getting or spreading C. diff:

Wash your hands with soap and water after you use the bathroom and before you eat.
If you have diarrhea, clean the bathroom that you used before anyone else uses it. Use bleach mixed with water or another disinfectant to clean the toilet seat, handle, and lid.

Health care providers can also help prevent C. diff infections by taking infection control precautions and improving how they prescribe antibiotics.