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Can Antibiotics Cause C. Diff Infection?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Jan 2017
Question: I had C dif last year. it cleared completely and i am healthy young 50 year old. i presently have a chest and sinus infection in which my dr has given me Azithromycin. I am hesitant to take it because i worry about c dif again.

Am i more susceptible because I have had it once? and if i take tons of pro biotic would that prevent c dif?

thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you may be more susceptible...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

C difficile colitis may occur with many antibiotics. Azithromycin is one of the most risky in this regard. Having had colitis in the past may raise your risk for relapse but it depends on the involved strain. You can't know which strain was involved because such testing is not routinely done (unless it was done for scientific reasons).

Probiotics may help and most doctors would prescribe them particularly when using risky antibiotics like clindamycin for example. You can never be safe though. Your doctor should weigh the benefits vs risks and decide accordingly.

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3815 Questions

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Can Antibiotics Cause C. Diff Infection?

Brief Answer: you may be more susceptible... Detailed Answer: Hello, C difficile colitis may occur with many antibiotics. Azithromycin is one of the most risky in this regard. Having had colitis in the past may raise your risk for relapse but it depends on the involved strain. You can't know which strain was involved because such testing is not routinely done (unless it was done for scientific reasons). Probiotics may help and most doctors would prescribe them particularly when using risky antibiotics like clindamycin for example. You can never be safe though. Your doctor should weigh the benefits vs risks and decide accordingly. I hope it helps! Kind Regards!