Can a mild case of C diff go away on its own?

diff go away on its own? Asymptomatic Clostridium difficile infections usually go away on their own without even being noticed. When a C. diff infection does become symptomatic, research has shown that 1 in 5 infections will resolve without medications.

What happens if C. diff goes untreated?

Left untreated or treated unsuccessfully, Clostridium difficile infection can lead to sepsis, an intestinal perforation, or death. Patients with severe Clostridium difficile infections are typically treated with the antibiotics vancomycin or metronidazole.

Can you have solid poop with C. diff?

diff? Typically, labs will only test watery or soft stool samples for Clostridium difficile. Some semi-formed samples that take the form of the specimen container are also allowable. Formed or hard stool samples are usually refused by the lab when submitted for C.

What happens if C. diff is left untreated?

What are the symptoms of a C diff infection?

What Are the Symptoms? Watery diarrhea that happens several times a day is one of many signs of a C. diff infection. You can have diarrhea and abdominal cramping even with a mild infection. If you have C. diff, your diarrhea will have a very strong odor. In more serious infections, there may be blood in the stool.

When to not test for C diff after treatment?

After treatment, repeat C. diff testing is not recommended if the patient’s symptoms have resolved, as patients often remain colonized. What are the steps to prevent spread? If a patient has had ≥ 3 stools in 24 hours:

How long does C diff stay outside the body?

C. diff bacteria that are outside the body turn into spores that can live on surfaces for weeks or months. These spores are not “active,” but they can turn active after you swallow them and they get into your intestines. Some people have the bacteria in their intestines and never have any symptoms.

Is there a risk of spreading C diff?

The risk of spreading C. diff after completing treatment is low. But if you’re colonized (see the “ Your Risk of C. diff ” page), you can still spread it to others. So always wash your hands with soap and water before you eat and after you use the bathroom.