What is pseudomembranous colitis?
Pseudomembranous colitis, also called antibiotic-associated colitis or C. difficile colitis, is inflammation of the colon associated with an overgrowth of the bacterium Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) — often called C. diff. This overgrowth of C. difficile is often related to a recent hospital stay or antibiotic treatment. C. difficile infections are more
common in people over 65 years old.
Signs and symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis may include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps, pain or tenderness
- Fever
- Pus or mucus in your stool
- Nausea
- Dehydration
Symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis can begin as soon as one to two days after you start taking an antibiotic, or as long as several months or longer after you finish taking the antibiotic.
When to see a doctor
If you are currently taking or have recently taken antibiotics and you develop diarrhea, contact your doctor, even if the diarrhea is relatively mild.
Also, see your doctor anytime you have severe diarrhea, with a fever, painful abdominal cramps, or blood or pus in your stool.
Your body usually keeps the many bacteria in your colon in a naturally healthy balance, but antibiotics and other medications can upset this balance.
It is not allowed to take antibiotics arbitrarily - antibiotic treatment should be recommended only by your doctor, based on the appropriate laboratory analysis. Do not change the course of treatment arbitrarily - you should take the antibiotic as prescribed by your doctor, at the required time and in the required amount.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pseudomembranous-
colitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351434
