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Does Vancomycin Help Treat Clostridium Difficile Infection?
Question: My son was just diagnosed with c diff. On top of that he already has UC. The Dr recommends that he take Vancomycin. Isn't that more harmful since it is an antibiotic.
Brief Answer:
needs treatment, it is one of the recommended antibiotics for it
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
No, it is not more harmful though I understand your line of thinking.
Clostridium occurs as a result of disturbance of the normal bacterial flora in the colon. There are some bacteria in the colon that are protective. After this the clostridium bacteria is ingested (it is present from different sources) and starts to cause problems.
The bacteria has to be treated.
The disturbance of the flora is more common with certain types of antibiotics.
Vancomycin is recommended for treatment of this particular infection especially if it is severe or there is an associated medical condition.
There are other antibiotics that are used for mild infections
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
needs treatment, it is one of the recommended antibiotics for it
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
No, it is not more harmful though I understand your line of thinking.
Clostridium occurs as a result of disturbance of the normal bacterial flora in the colon. There are some bacteria in the colon that are protective. After this the clostridium bacteria is ingested (it is present from different sources) and starts to cause problems.
The bacteria has to be treated.
The disturbance of the flora is more common with certain types of antibiotics.
Vancomycin is recommended for treatment of this particular infection especially if it is severe or there is an associated medical condition.
There are other antibiotics that are used for mild infections
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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