What Is C. Diff?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
2. Risk Factors
One of the risk factors that increases the likelihood of a C. diff infection is exposure to antibiotics. The most commonly implicated antibiotics are the cephalosporins, ampicillin/amoxicillin, fluoroquinolones, and clindamycin. Brief exposure to any single antibiotic can increase the likelihood of C. diff colitis. This risk further increases with the use of two or more antibiotics.
Other medications that have been implicated include proton pump inhibitors and antidepressants. Other risk factors include those with advanced age (more than 60 years), are immunocompromised, severe illness, gastric acid suppression, and hospitalization.
Advertisement
