Brief Answer:
C. Difficile may cause similar symptoms, some considerations on diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,

I carefully read your query.

Diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever after IV antibiotics bring the suspicion of C. Difficile infection. This infection is also expected to cause blood with stools.

The lack of blood with stools is probably the reason why your PC is not so worried. It may also indicate mild forms if C. Difficile is present.

Because tests for C. difficile come out negative and she does not have blood with stools, it may be advisable to give her enter germinal, which are normal bowel bacteria to take daily. This will help restore the normal bowel flora.

Also, she may need to avoid milk, sweetened food, and greasy food as these make diarrhea worse. She needs to take oral rehydration solutions to replace both lost water and electrolytes.

If her symptoms are lasting for more than 5-7 days, maybe some tests would be needed to determine the cause of them:

- stool for ova and parasites
- stool culture and microscopy
- stool antigen for giardia
- CBC, ESR

If all these tests come out normal and the symptoms last for more than 3 weeks then tests such as colonoscopy, test for gluten intolerance and HIV may be needed.

Also, not all tests for C. Difficile are accurate, so it would be helpful to know which test did she actually do.

To conclude:
- C. difficile can be the cause of diarrhea after antibiotics but the lack of blood with stools may indicate minor forms if this infection is present
- treatment for diarrhea such as oral rehydration solutions, enterogermina, avoiding certain foods is important. She should not take loperamide to stop diarrhea as this may complicate C. difficile infection if present

- Some tests for C. Difficile are not so accurate so uploading the test reports or giving the name of the tests may be needed to know their accuracy

- Other stool tests and in some cases, a colonoscopy may be needed to finally determine the cause of her symptoms

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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