The best treatment option for Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection will depend on the severity of the infection and the overall health of the individual. The main goal of treatment for C. diff is to eliminate the bacteria from the gut and restore the normal balance of gut bacteria.
The following are some common treatment options for C. diff infection:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are the most common treatment for C. diff infection. The most commonly used antibiotics for C. diff are metronidazole and vancomycin. These antibiotics work by killing the C. diff bacteria and allowing the normal gut bacteria to recover.
- Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help restore the balance of gut bacteria. Probiotics can be taken in supplement form or found in fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir.
- Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT): FMT is an experimental treatment that involves transplanting healthy gut bacteria from a donor into the patient. The healthy gut bacteria can help restore the balance of gut bacteria and eliminate the C. diff infection.
- Surgery: In severe cases of C. diff infection, surgery may be necessary to remove the diseased portion of the colon.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Supportive treatment for diarrhea includes:
- Plenty of fluids. Choose fluids containing water, salt and sugar, such as diluted fruit juice, soft drinks and broths.
- Good nutrition. If you have watery diarrhea, eat starchy foods, such as potatoes, noodles, rice, wheat and oatmeal. Other good choices are saltine crackers, bananas, soup and boiled vegetables. If you aren’t hungry, you may need a liquid diet at first. After your diarrhea clears up, you may have temporary difficulty digesting milk and milk-based products.
- Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
- Clean infected surfaces with disinfectants such as bleach in places where someone is known to have C. diff.
- If you have C. diff, close the lid when flushing the toilet, as the spores can travel through the air.
It’s important to note that the best treatment option may vary depending on the specific case and the patient’s general health condition, so it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.