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Pseudomembranous colitis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Antibiotic-associated colitis; Colitis - pseudomembranous; Necrotizing colitis

Symptoms:

Abdominal cramps (mild to severe)
Bloody stools
Fever
Urge to have a bowel movement
Watery diarrhea (often five to 10 times per day)

Signs and tests:

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

Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy
Immunoassay for C. difficile toxin in the stool

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 12/19/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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.

Bartlett JG. Clostridial infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa : Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 319.

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