How can CDI be diagnosed?

A definitive diagnosis of CDI requires laboratory identification of C. difficile toxin in a stool sample and/or visualization of PMC, in addition to clinical symptoms (usually diarrhea) consistent with CDI.

Is C. diff something to worry about?

diff, you should see a healthcare professional. Developing diarrhea is fairly common while on, or after taking, antibiotics, but in only a few cases will that diarrhea be caused by C. diff. If your diarrhea is severe, do not delay getting medical care.

What kind of infection can you get from C diff?

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause colitis, a serious inflammation of the colon. Infections from C. diff often start after you’ve been taking antibiotics.

What does C diff stand for in medical terms?

C. diff (sometimes mistakenly shortened to “c dif” or “cdif”) is the proper shortened version of Clostridium difficile [klo–strid–ee–um dif–uh–seel] ( C. difficile ), which is a type of bacteria that causes inflammation and infection of the colon, known as colitis. C. diff is also a shortened way of referring to the infectious colitis itself.

Which is the best reference for Clostridium difficile?

McFarland LV, Mulligan NE, Kwok RYY, et al. Nosocomial acquisition of Clostridium difficile infection. N Engl J Med 1989;320:204–10. Nath SK, Thomely JH, Kelly M, et al. A sustained outbreak of Clostridium difficile in a general hospital: persistence of a toxigenic clone in four units.

What should a doctor do if they suspect C diff?

If your doctor suspects you have this infection, he’ll probably order one or more stool tests. They include: If your doctor suspects serious problems with your colon, he might order X-rays or a CT scan of your intestines. What’s the Treatment? Antibiotics may have triggered your infection, but some types of these drugs target C. diff.