C. Diff In 30 Minutes: A Guide to Clostridium Difficile for Patients and Families

A C. diff diagnosis is frightening, and the flood of unfamiliar medical terms can make it even more overwhelming. C. Diff In 30 Minutes, 2nd Edition is written by J. Thomas Lamont, M.D., one of the world's leading experts on Clostridium difficile and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Using plain-English explanations and real patient case studies, Dr. Lamont walks patients and families through what C. diff is, how it spreads, why it keeps coming back, and what modern treatment options are available.

Clostridium difficile is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections in the United States, and it is on the rise. Patients can contract it during a routine hospital visit, and elderly residents in nursing homes are particularly vulnerable. This guide will help you understand what your doctor, gastroenterologist, or infectious disease specialist is recommending — and why.

Who This Book Is For

• Patients recently diagnosed with C. diff who want a clear, expert explanation of what is happening in their body
• Family members and caregivers supporting a loved one through a C. diff infection or recurrence
• Patients with recurring C. diff who want to understand advanced treatment options such as fecal microbial transfer (FMT)
• Elderly patients and their families navigating C. diff in hospital or nursing home settings

What This Book Covers

• How C. diff infections occur and why antibiotics are a leading trigger
• Four real patient case studies, from initial infection through recovery
• How C. diff spreads and practical steps to limit transmission
• Treatment options including metronidazole (Flagyl), vancomycin, and newer antibiotics
• Managing severe and recurring C. diff infections
• Stool transplants and fecal microbial transfer (FMT), including how oral FMT works
• Probiotics and their role in recovery
• The future of C. diff treatment, including microbiome therapy and a potential C. diff vaccine
• A glossary of medical terms and online resources

Common Questions This Book Answers

• What are the symptoms of a C. diff infection?
• Why do some patients get C. diff after taking antibiotics?
• Why does C. diff keep coming back after treatment?
• What is fecal microbial transfer (FMT) and does it work for C. diff?
• How do I prevent C. diff from spreading to family members?
• What is the difference between acute C. diff and recurrent C. diff?

This is not a DIY treatment guide. A physician is needed to diagnose C. diff and manage care. But for patients and families trying to understand a confusing and distressing diagnosis, this book provides authoritative, accessible answers.

If you or a loved one is dealing with C. diff, this is the guide that will help you make sense of it.

About the author: J. Thomas Lamont, M.D. received his medical degree from the University of Rochester and completed his training at UCLA and Massachusetts General Hospital. He joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School in 1974 and currently serves as Emeritus Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Lamont has conducted ground-breaking research on C. diff and has helped thousands of patients manage the infection.

J. Thomas Lamont, M.D. received his medical degree in 1965 from the University of Rochester, and was intern, resident and chief resident in medicine at UCLA. Following a GI Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, he joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School in 1974. He currently is Emeritus Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.