Fast Five Quiz: Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

Figure 1. C difficile bacterium, illustration.

The diagnosis of C difficile colitis should be suspected in any patient with diarrhea who has received antibiotics within the previous 3 months, has been recently hospitalized, and/or has an occurrence of diarrhea within 48 hours or more after hospitalization.

Although most patients develop diarrhea during or shortly after starting antibiotic therapy, 25%-40% of patients may not become symptomatic for as many as 10 weeks after completing antibiotic therapy.

C difficile should also be a suspected cause of diarrhea in community dwellers without previous hospitalization or antibiotic exposure.

Learn more about C difficile colitis.

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Cite this: B.S. Anand. Fast Five Quiz: Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea - Medscape - Jul 09, 2020.