Final answer:
Mild to moderate C. difficile infections are treated with cessation of the current antibiotic, supportive care, and metronidazole or vancomycin. Severe cases require more aggressive management, potentially including fecal transplantation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treatment for C. difficile Infections
The treatment for mild to moderate Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections typically starts with the cessation of antibiotic use, followed by supportive therapy, including electrolyte replacement and fluids. Metronidazole is the preferred antibiotic for confirmed cases of C. difficile, while Vancomycin is an alternative, particularly for patients not responding to metronidazole or with special considerations such as being under the age of 10, pregnant, or allergic to metronidazole.
For severe C. difficile infections accompanied by abdominal pain and hypotension, treatment becomes more aggressive. Supportive therapy remains a key component, but may also include management of complications like septic shock, as seen with the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and approaches to support blood pressure. In addition to antibiotics, another innovative treatment is fecal transplantation, which aims to restore the gut microbiota and has shown high success rates.