What Is C. diff?
9. Fighting Relapse
Most patients experience improvement of symptoms within 10 to 14 days of treatment with vancomycin or fidaxomicin. However, about 20% of patients experience a relapse after finishing their treatment. Vancomycin and fidaxomicin helps to kill the active form of C. diff, which stops the production of toxins and resolves diarrhea. However, the spores of C. diff survive and resume toxin production once the therapy stops.
Patients who remain well after treatment do not require further investigations. Patients who experience further diarrhea will require testing. When a relapse occurs, another 10 to 14 days of further treatment is recommended. When relapse occurs the second time, vancomycin is recommended. When three or more relapses occur, transplantation of fecal microbiota may be performed.
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