Antibiotics May Trigger Intestinal Disease

This bacterial infection causes minor symptoms in some people and serious diseases in others

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (May 31, 2007) – You have a sinus infection and your doctor prescribes an antibiotic—but did you know this could lead to a serious intestinal infection? The infection is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, and is more common in people age 65 and older. “Antibiotics can harm the ‘good’ bacteria in the intestines, allowing C. diff to multiply and release harmful toxins,” says infectious disease specialist Luther Rhodes, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.

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.  

Symptoms of a C. diff infection include watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and cramps. These symptoms may appear when you start antibiotic therapy or may take several weeks to develop. 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.

C. diff bacteria are spread through contact with the feces of an infected person or by touching a contaminated surface, like a bedpan or toilet. A simple and effective way to prevent the spread of C. diff infection in a health care setting is proper hand washing with soap and water by anyone who has patient contact. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may not kill C. diff spores. The thorough cleaning of patient rooms also prevents the bacteria from spreading. If you’re caring for someone at home, diluted Clorox is an effective cleaning agent.

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