Q: I’ve heard that if I take antibiotics, it can cause a bacterial infection. Is this true? If so, can I prevent it?

Ask Our Expert About C. Diff.

About Our Expert

Luther Rhodes, M.D.
Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network chief of infectious disease

• I’ve heard that if I take antibiotics, it can cause a bacterial infection. Is this true? If so, can I prevent it?
• Is a C. diff infection more likely to affect a certain age group?
• How do you catch C. diff?
• What can I do to prevent catching it?
• What are the symptoms of a C. diff infection?
• How is a C. diff infection treated?
• Has the mutation caused any other changes?

Q: I’ve heard that if I take antibiotics, it can cause a bacterial infection. Is this true? If so, can I prevent it?

A: It is true. Antibiotics can harm the “good” bacteria in the intestines. This may allow a bacterium called Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, to multiply and release harmful toxins that attack the intestinal lining. You can avoid the problem by taking acidophilus, an over-the-counter supplement of “good” bacteria, while you’re on antibiotics. You also may want to talk to your doctor about a more conservative use of antibiotics.

Q: Is a C. diff infection more likely to affect a certain age group?

A: Yes. The risk for acquiring a C. diff infection increases at age 65. Babies and children rarely experience problems. People undergoing dialysis are also at an increased risk.

Q: How do you catch C. diff?

A: C. diff is spread through contact with the feces of an infected person or by touching a contaminated surface, like a bedpan or toilet. An infected person can quickly contaminate a room by leaving C. diff spores on everything he touches. These spores can live on dry surfaces for months. You can be born with the C. diff bacteria, too. Up to 18 percent of the population is either born with or carries the C. diff bacteria without experiencing any symptoms.

Q: What can I do to prevent catching it?

A: If you work in a health care setting, wash your hands with soap and water after touching a patient. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may not kill C. diff spores. Vigorously and thoroughly clean patient rooms, including handrails, telephones and anything a patient touches. If you’re caring for someone at home, diluted Clorox is an effective cleaning agent.

Q: What are the symptoms of a C. diff infection?

A: Symptoms include watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and cramps. Symptoms may appear when you start antibiotic therapy or may take several weeks to develop. If you’ve recently received antibiotics and have any of these symptoms, see a physician. Illnesses caused by C. diff can range from mild cases of diarrhea to more serious conditions, like colitis, blood infections and, in rare instances, death.

Q: How is a C. diff infection treated?

A: Although it is resistant to most antibiotics, two oral antibiotics are use to treat a C. diff infection: vancomycin and metronidazole. Vancomycin is the more expensive, yet more effective, antibiotic. Due to a recent mutation of the C. diff bug, metronidazole treatments are becoming less successful.

Q: Has the mutation caused any other changes?

A: Yes. People who suffer a C. diff infection today typically experience more serious symptoms. It’s also becoming more common for C. diff patients to have a relapse.

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