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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Experience of C Diff

21 replies

Howdidido · 30/12/2019 23:37

Dd 9 weeks has diarrhoea which smells bad
She was in hospital 3 weeks ago on antibiotics.
Dr has asked for stool sample to test for C diff. But other than being miserable with her poos she gaining weight fine and for the most part is happy... apart from when pooing 15 times a day
DD4 seems fine.
Basically what does C diff smell like? What symptoms does it have? Online suggests blood should be in stools but other website say only in 8% of cases.

Basically I'm trying to work out if I need to go whole hog on keeping DD4 away from baby DD. If it's a stomach bug I wont worry. If its C diff I'll give all out.
Has anyone had C diff?

OP posts:
Original poster
Howdidido · 30/12/2019 23:38

(Before the tests come back in 3 or 4 days!))

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 30/12/2019 23:42

err on the side of caution. mum has not been right since c diff.

nocoolnamesleft · 30/12/2019 23:44

Please don't assume the same as adults. Symptomatic c diff in elderly adults is very common. In 9 week old babies it's about as common as hens' teeth buried in rocking horse manure. Please tell me it was an actual paediatrician you saw that sent this off, not your GP?

Original poster
Howdidido · 30/12/2019 23:44

It means restricting access of DD4 to DD9weeks. Which she will find really hard.
C Diff apparently has a distinctive smell but I cant find out what that is!

OP posts:
Original poster
Howdidido · 30/12/2019 23:45

Was GP.
She was on 3 types of antibiotics at the hospital while they waited for lab results.

OP posts:
katmandoo · 30/12/2019 23:49

The smell is unmistakable, one you know it, you will always know it. Impossible to describe other than the smell just clings to everything and seems impossible to remove. Ex ICU nurse

nocoolnamesleft · 30/12/2019 23:53

Yeah, didn't think it was a paediatrician. I'd be gobsmacked if this was (toxin mediated) c diff - let's put it this way, that would be so unusual in a 9 week old baby that someone would probably be asking your permission to publish the case. A lot of babies do carry the non-toxin-releasing version of c diff, which doesn't cause problems, but can screw up the test. A 9 week old baby with that much diarrhoea? We'd see same day up on the ward, and I think most departments would say the same.

Mumof1andacat · 30/12/2019 23:55

Has she had any allergy testing done? Coeliac or dairy allergy?

dontcallmeduck · 31/12/2019 00:00

If been on antibiotics for an infection then most likely temporary lactose intolerance. Have you tried a lactose free milk if formula feeding? If breastfeeding then just carry on.
C diff is quite a sweet smell, it’s often jelly like yellow too.

Original poster
Howdidido · 31/12/2019 00:04

It smells bad. Sort of like vomit. But the whole house doesn't smell bad just her nappies

OP posts:
dontcallmeduck · 31/12/2019 00:05

What colour?

Original poster
Howdidido · 31/12/2019 00:06

Breastfeeding.
I'm coeliac so no gluten in diet. Have be (99.9%) dairy free for a few weeks now

OP posts:
Original poster
Howdidido · 31/12/2019 00:06

Dark orange. Mucous

OP posts:
dontcallmeduck · 31/12/2019 00:08

In that case I’d wait for the results, continue breastfeeding and if negative try 100% dairy free and see if that makes a difference. Also agree with poster above that dc needs checking out by a paediatrician.

dontcallmeduck · 31/12/2019 00:10

Oh and use soap and water rather than those hand gel things in case it is anything contagious. Good luck op, awful seeing a young baby so uncomfortable

Original poster
Howdidido · 31/12/2019 00:16

Thanks everyone
Will ask for referral when speak to GP on results
The 99.9% is because I have forgotten and licked my fingers with butter on or tried DD4s supper to see if it's hot which had cream in.
She's a happy thing when not pooing. But it does cause her distress. And it is darker than i think it should be. And the smell is not pleasant. And it has mucous.
Hard to know what's normal for her as she was in hospital so young

OP posts:
Original poster
Howdidido · 31/12/2019 00:23

It sounds like people are saying it doesn't sound like C diff

@nocoolnamesleft are you medical? Or is that from personal experience?

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 31/12/2019 00:27

I confess - I'm a paediatrician. It is impossible and unsafe to diagnose over the internet, but if a GP rang me about a 9 week old baby with mucusy poo 15 times a day, then I'd want to see them.

nocoolnamesleft · 31/12/2019 00:28

And yes, if it turned out to be down to c diff I'd be very surprised.

Original poster
Howdidido · 31/12/2019 00:34

@nocoolnamesleft
Thanks. I wont take your advice as diagnosis but will push to be referred to see a paediatrician. Its helpful to know that should be considered.
And I will not relax the handwashing but wont get too worried about keeping DD4 away.
And I will hope for no more antibiotics! This household has had enough!

Thanks again everyone for advice, experience and opinions.

OP posts:
EKGEMS · 31/12/2019 02:07

My son had it around 8 months and never had it again. He did need oral vancomycin to beat it though

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