Named
What is C. diff?
C. diff is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. You may see it called other names, such as Clostridioides difficile (the new name), Clostridium difficile (an older name), and C. difficile. It causes close to half a million illnesses each year.
What causes C. diff infections?C. diff bacteria are commonly found in the environment, but people usually only get C. diff infections when they are taking antibiotics. That's because antibiotics not only wipe out bad germs, but they also kill the good germs that protect your body against infections. The effect of antibiotics can last as long as several months. If you come in contact with C. diff germs during this time, you can get sick. You are more likely to get a C. diff infection if you take antibiotics for more than a week.
C. diff spreads when people touch food, surfaces, or objects that are contaminated with feces (poop) from a person who has C. diff.
Who is more likely to get a C. diff infection?You are at more likely to get a C. diff infection if you:
- Are taking antibiotics
- Are 65 or older
- Recently stayed in a hospital or nursing home
- Have a weakened immune system
- Have had a previous infection with C. diff or were exposed to it
The symptoms of C. diff infections include:
- Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) or frequent bowel movements for several days
- Fever
- Stomach tenderness or pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
Severe diarrhea causes you to lose a lot of fluids. This can put you at risk for dehydration.
How are C. diff infections diagnosed?If you have been taking antibiotics recently and have symptoms of a C. diff infection, you should see your health care provider. Your provider will ask about your symptoms and do a lab test of your stool. In some cases, you might also need an imaging test such as an x-ray or CT scan to check for complications.
What are the treatments for C. diff infections?Certain antibiotics can treat C. diff infections. If you were already taking a different antibiotic when you got C. diff, your provider may ask you to stop taking that one.
If you have a severe case, you may need to stay in the hospital. If you have very severe pain or serious complications, you may need surgery to remove the diseased part of your colon.
About 1 in 6 people who have had a C. diff infection will get it again within the following 2 to 8 weeks. This is called recurrent C. diff. It could be that your original infection came back or that you have a new infection. Contact your provider if your symptoms come back.
For people who keep getting C. diff infections, treatments such as fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) have shown promising results. FMT uses stool (or bacteria from stool) from a healthy donor to try to restore the balance of healthy bacteria in your intestines.
Can C. diff infections be prevented?There are steps you can take to try to prevent getting or spreading C. diff:
- Wash your hands with soap and water after you use the bathroom and before you eat.
- If you have diarrhea, clean the bathroom that you used before anyone else uses it. Use bleach mixed with water or another disinfectant to clean the toilet seat, handle, and lid.
Health care providers can also help prevent C. diff infections by taking infection control precautions and improving how they prescribe antibiotics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Felter's Materia Medica on Named
The root of Apocynum cannabinum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Apocynaceae) gathered in autumn after the leaves and fruit have matured. Grows throughout the... / ...causes sneezing. The small doses employed in Eclectic therapeutics seldom occasion any of the above-named symptoms save that of severe watery purging, which may occur suddenly, when the drug has been ... / ...may be looked for. Under these circumstances we have removed enormous dropsical swellings with it, giving quick relief from dyspnea and1
The root of Asclepias tuberosa, Linné (Nat. Ord. Asclepiadaceae). United States and Canada. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Pleurisy Root,... / ...rning the great value of pleurisy root in pleuritic and other chest affections. With the conditions named asclepias is of the very greatest value in acute coryza, la grippe, acute bronchitis, pleuro-p...1
The fungus Polyporus officinalis, Fries (Boletus laricis, jacquin). (Nat. Ord. Fungi.) Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central America. Common Names:... / ...for these purposes is from the fraction of a drop to 5 drops of the specific medicine. For the last named use that of controlling colliquative sweating, agaric acid or agaricin, as it is more commonly...1
The rhizome of Acorus Calamus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Acoraceae). Common in wet and muddy grounds everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. Dose, 5 to 40... / ...n are said to have been benefited by it. While of unquestioned value in all of the local conditions named it has been much overrated, and its real medicinal worth obscured by extravagant praise.1
The florets of Calendula officinalis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). Southern Europe and the Orient; largely cultivated as a garden flower. Dose, 1 to... / ...n are said to have been benefited by it. While of unquestioned value in all of the local conditions named it has been much overrated, and its real medicinal worth obscured by extravagant praise.1
The herb, and especially the leaves, of Chelone glabra, Linné (Nat. Ord. Scrophulariaceae). Damp soils in the United States. Dose, 5 to... / ...60 grains. Common Names: Balmony, Snakehead, Turtlebloom, Turtlehead. Principal Constituents.An unnamed glucoside and the usual constituents of plants. Preparation.Specific Medicine Chelone. Dose,... / ...these conditions with satisfaction. The infusion (1/2 ounce to Water, 16 fluidounces) in small doses, is effective, though disagreeably bitter.1
The dried, peeled pulp of the fruit of Citrullus Colocynthis (Linné,) Schrader. (Nat. Ord. Cucurbitaceae.) Mediterranean basin of Europe, Asia,... / ...ecific Medicine Colocynth). When persistent headache depends upon the stomach and bowel perversions named above it is often corrected by colocynth. In that form of lumbago and sometimes pressure sciat... / ...of the fifth nerve, when the characteristic cutting pain prevails. It should be given also when colicky pain precedes or accompanies amenorrhoea.1
The entire plant Euphorbia (Chamaesyce) hypericifolia, Linné (Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceae). A common weed in rich soils of gardens and waste places throughout... / ...lera morbus, muco-enteritis and dysentery, after the acute inflammation has subsided. For the first-named childs disorder it is one of the most certain of sedative-astringents.1
An excrescence on Quercus infectoria, Olivier, and other allied species of Quercus (Nat. Ord. Fagaceae), caused by the punctures and deposited ova of the... / ...emorrhoids, being preferred by many as a local application, in ointment, in preference to the acids named. They are commonly associated with opium for the same purpose.1
The dried rhizome and roots of Gelsemium sempervirens (Linné,) Aiton (Nat. Ord. Loganiaceae). Dose, 1/10 to 1 grain. Common Names: Yellow... / ...opine, and that of the heart by ammonia, ether, alcohol and digitalis, the first three in the order named, to sustain the organ until the digitalis, which should be given at once, can act. It has been... / ...great restlessness and excitation are the classic indications for it as first formulated by Scudder, and these stand among the truest of speci1
The leaves and flowering or fruiting tops of Hyoscyamus niger, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). Europe; naturalized in waste places in the United... / ...atched. The symptoms of poisoning by hyoscyamus and its alkaloids are sufficiently similar to those named under belladonna for diagnosis, and the treatment is the same as there recommended. Therapy.... / ...conditions best. Hence its value in nervous headache, the headache of debility, the vague pains of so-called chronic rheumatism, idiopath1
The leaves and flowering tops of Hypericum perforatum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Hypericaceae). Europe and America. Common Name: St. John's... / ...e. It undoubtedly has a strong influence upon the nervous system. Used according to the indications named above, many physicians believe it useful to relieve the painful effects of spinal concussion, ...1
The fruit (berries) of the Juniperus communis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Cupressaceae). An evergreen tree of Europe and America. Common Names: Juniper,... / ...for most purposes. A pint may be taken in a day. When an alcoholic stimulant is needed in the abovenamed condition the spirit or compound spirit may be used. The oil is often efficient in non-inflamm... / ...given in doses larger than recommended above, as suppression of urine, strangury, hematuria, or even uremic convulsions may result from its use.1
The whole herb Lycopus virginicus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Labiatae). Common in shady, moist and boggy places throughout the United States. Dose, 1 to... / ...rhage (hemoptysis). It probably acts by controlling the rapidity of the blood-current. In the first-named hemorrhages it may also act upon the unstriped muscular fibers, but in the pulmonary form thes... / ...in simple diarrhea (lientery), dysenteric diarrhea, and especially in the diarrhea of phthisis, and the gastric disturbances of the drunkard.1
A saccharine substance deposited in the honey comb by the Apis mellifera, Linné or Honey Bee (Family Apidae). Common Name: Honey. Description.A... / ...aevulose (fruit sugar), dextrose (grape sugar or glucose), and sucrose (cane sugar), with the first named predominating; also a trace of formic acid. Preparations.1. Mel Depuratum, Clarified Honey.... / ...It is sometimes incorporated in cough mixtures as an agreeable demulcent, and is occasionally used to allay irritation of the urinary passages.1
Physician's Materia Medica on Named
The preparation so named is in fact usually a mixture of Oleate with Palmitate and Stearate, occurring in the form of a powder quite free from grittiness. Very useful in excessive perspiration of the feet, in moist eczema and similar conditions; applied by dusting over the surface, also in ointments used like Zinc ointment.2
References
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.