c. diff experience?

[Anonymous]

The little girl I babysit for (7 months old) has c. diff. She was a 27 week preemie and had intestinal surgery and it always on antibiotics. She was just diagnosed with c. diff and put on Vancomycin on Saturday.

I hear it is VERY contagious and I worry about my kids. My littlest one is on antibiotics now for an ear infection and so she is at a much higher risk (I assume). I already have them both on lactobaccilious daily and besides the universal precautions like handwashing is there anything I can do to keep my kids from getting it??

Thanks!

Sarah

[Anonymous]

We haven’t had it but I know that you should do lots and lots of handwashing to help prevent it.

[Anonymous]

You are doing pretty much everything you can. Also not like you would do this, but make sure they don’t come in contact with her poop! The is really the only way it is spread is via the feces and many times that is due to lack of handwashing etc so as long as you are doing this you are doing the best you can.

[Anonymous]

My baby had C-Diff for several months….maybe still does. Who knows? I have 2 other kids, one that is 2 and one that is 4 but sucks his thumb all the time. Their hands are constantly in their mouths…prime way to transfer bacteria. But, neither of my kids have had any problems with it. Here are a couple of key things to do. First, give your whole family pro-biotics. If you do, even small amounts of the bacteria won’t cause you guys problems. Second, regular disinfectants don’t kill the C-Diff bacteria; they actually cause each bacterium to create 4 new spores. Which in turn, grow into bacteria. That is why C-diff is so prevalent in hospitals…..they are continually cleaning with anti-bacterial disinfectants, that in reality cause the c-diff bacteria to run rampid. Bleach at a 10:1 ratio is all that has been shown to kill it. So use this to clean any surface that may be contaminated. I had one of those changing pads that you get at target that you can wash off. I always changed my babe in the same spot and bleached it everyday. I also wore gloves and put each poopy diaper in a sack, tied in a knot. And I was meticulous about washing my hands. And then my sink after my hands…but not with anti-bacterial soap. The only other thing I was really careful about was where I bathed him. He used one tub for a while, the rest of my family used another. This may all see a little overboard, but my baby had a nasty strain and I wasn’ t willing to risk my other kids getting it. Hope this helps. I have learned a lot about C-diff in the last months… let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

Oh….one more thing…is the baby taking a good probiotic. Anti-biotics didn’t kick my babies C-diff…probiotics did. The one I use is from Klarie labs, its an infant pro-biotic, specifically formulated for babies. I SWEAR by it!!!!!!! My babies symtoms went away after 2 days of it. It took a couple of months for the toxins to be completely weeded out.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to add there is a pro-biotic called flora stor that is a yeast, so the antibiotics she is on won’t kill it. I would give that to her until she is off the vanco and then switch to the regular pro-biotic.

[Anonymous]

Sorry…I need to stress that without the pro-biotics, there is a good chance the infection will come back again and again.

[Anonymous]

Both of my children are on probiotics daily. The baby I watch is supposed to take them when she was finished her antibiotics (on wed) but I have yet to see them. Maybe mom is giving them at home, but I doubt it! I will ask her about them tonite. The baby is going for a re-test on saturday to see if it has reoccured!

-Sarah

[Anonymous]

It will probably take more than a few days for the bacteria to re-grow and start producoing toxins (toxins is what the test looks for). A test done on Sat may not really tell you guys anything. Many docs, even Ped GIs don’t know a lot about C-diff in babies as its not super common. Hopefully she has one that somewhat knows what they are talking about.

[Anonymous]

RTsmom wrote:

Both of my children are on probiotics daily. The baby I watch is supposed to take them when she was finished her antibiotics (on wed) but I have yet to see them. Maybe mom is giving them at home, but I doubt it! I will ask her about them tonite. The baby is going for a re-test on saturday to see if it has reoccured!

-Sarah

I noticed you have them on Lacto Bac I’m guessing it’s the Acidophilus? It’s the 4 strain Probiotics and specifically the Lacto – Plantarum that helps prevent/fight C-diff

Pro-Bio Gold is a very good 4 strain but you can get others. Note that GOOD Quality 4 strain Probiotics will come refrigerated and have specific storing recommendations to keep potency.

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