Pseudomembranous colitis

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Overview	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention

Pseudomembranous colitis

Alternative Names

Antibiotic-associated colitis; Colitis - pseudomembranous; Necrotizing colitis

Symptoms

Abdominal cramps
Bloody stools
Low-grade fever
Urge to have a bowel movement
Watery diarrhea

Exams and Tests

Either or both of the following tests will confirm the disorder:

Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy
Immunoassay for C. difficile toxin

References

Aslam S. An update on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated disease. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. Jun 2006;35(2):315-335.


Digestive system


Digestive system organs

Review Date: 11/13/2007
Reviewed By: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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