C. difficile is a toxin-producing bacteria that causes antibiotic-associated colitis, which can occur after the antibiotic therapy upsets the balance of good and bad bacteria in your intestinal tract. Besides loose stools, C. difficile infection can cause: Lower abdominal pain and cramping. read more
How to Prevent Diarrhea While You Take Antibiotics. When you need to take antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection, the last thing you want to do is add more symptoms into the mix. Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. read more
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea refers to passing loose, watery stools three or more times a day after taking medications used to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics). Most often, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is mild and requires no treatment. read more
The sooner antibiotic-associated diarrhea is diagnosed, the better, so always contact your doctor if you notice a change in bowel habits within six weeks of taking a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics do not help with the common cold or the flu, which are both viral infections. read more