Re: C Diff - preventive measures

[Guest guest]

Maybe it's a good idea to precaution our LOs from this... Considering

that many of our LOs are in need to go into hospitals frequently,

need antibiotics for UTIs, etc., and/or in a long-term care facility.

(of COURSE discuss your idea with your LO's doctor first...)

Prevention

The most important step in stopping C. difficile infections is to

reserve antibiotics for times when they're really necessary. Every

year in the United States, antibiotics are prescribed for viral

illnesses that aren't helped by these drugs. And even some common

bacterial ailments such as ear infections or bronchitis may not

respond to antibiotics. Taking a wait-and-see attitude with simple

ailments may often be the best course.

Other preventive measures you can take include the following:

* If you do need an antibiotic, ask your doctor to prescribe one that

has a narrow range and that you take for the shortest time possible.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics and those used for more than three to five

days are far more likely to disrupt intestinal bacteria.

* Consider taking probiotic supplements — available at natural foods

stores and many pharmacies — or eating yogurt before, during and

after antibiotic treatment. This helps replace the beneficial

bacteria that antibiotics destroy. Only Saccharomyces boulardii has

proved effective in C. difficile infections, however.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-difficile/DS00736/DSECTION=9

Here's a site that makes Saccharomyces boulardii

http://www.florastor.com/