Back in the Hospital

Well, dad is back in the hospital. We took him to the ER this morning, and they admitted him after a few hours of tests and monitoring him. He has had a lot of diarrhea the last few days. It was a problem that no matter what he tried he couldn't fix, and it caused him to be dehydrated. He was so sick, shaking, and weak this morning that he could barely stand up on his own. They think the cause is the C-diff that he had while in rehab (they think it came back). Dad had been taking a probiotic to help his body after recover after the C-diff. We'll know more when his tests come back in a day or so.

• C-diff is a species of bacteria of the genus Clostridium which are gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming rods (bacillus). C. difficile is the most significant cause of pseudomembranous colitis, a severe infection of the colon, often after normal gut flora is eradicated by the use of antibiotics. Treatment is by stopping any antibiotics and commencing specific anticlostridial antibiotics.
• Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body's naturally occurring gut flora to reestablish themselves. They are sometimes recommended by doctors, and, more frequently, by nutritionists, after a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatment for cut related candidiasis. Claims are made that probiotics strengthen the immune system.