infection

C. difficile infection

Clostridioides difficile , also known as Clostridium difficile infection, is a infection due to the spore-forming Clostridioides difficile. Symptoms include watery , fever, , and pain. It makes up about 20% of cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. can contribute to detrimental changes in gut microbiota; specifically, they decrease short-chain fatty acid absorption, which results in osmotic, or watery, diarrhea. may include pseudomembranous , toxic megacolon, perforation of the colon, and .

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

·, fever, , pain

Causes — why it happens

·Clostridioides difficile spread by the fecal-oral route

How it's found

·Stool , testing for the 's DNA or toxins

Prevention

·Hand washing, terminal room cleaning in hospital

Treatment

·Metronidazole, vancomycin, fidaxomicin, fecal microbiota

Complications

·Pseudomembranous , toxic megacolon, perforation of the colon,

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Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.