The risk of C. Diff Recurrence

C. diff can come back, even after being treated with
an antibiotic—this is called a recurrence.

C. diff can happen to anyone, but there are certain factors that
can increase your risk of it coming back:

  • Taking antibiotics
  • Being 65 years of age or older
  • Staying in a hospital or nursing home
  • Having a weakened immune system
  • Use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy for acid reflux
  • Being exposed to C. diff germs

While antibiotics can kill C. diff bacteria,
they are a main risk factor for getting a recurrence

C. diff comes back in
about 1 in 4 people (25%).

For those 1 in 4 people, once it comes back,
your risk of recurrence increases up to 65%

When C. diff comes back, you may recognize some common symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you are having*:


*These are the most common recurrent C. diff symptoms but not all possible symptoms.

Frequent, uniquely
bad-smelling diarrhea

Painful stomach
cramps

Fever

Nausea and loss
of appetite

Test your recurrent C. diff knowledge

Understanding C. diff recurrence can help with your medical care. Answer 4 questions to test your knowledge.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Recurrent C. diff has historically been treated with antibiotics alone

but when used alone, antibiotics do not address the imbalance that can cause it to return

but when used alone,
antibiotics do not address
the imbalance that can cause
it to return

The role of antibiotics in C. diff

Antibiotics are important because they kill C. diff bacteria that cause your infection, but they
may further disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut, which can lead to C. diff coming back.

Your intestine is full of trillions of bacteria that make up the gut microbiome

Why the balance of good and bad bacteria is important

In a healthy gut microbiome, good and
bad bacteria are balanced

But if your gut gets disrupted, your
body’s natural defense against C. diff is
weakened

This causes some people to get C. diff
again and again

Good bacteria

Bad bacteria

Taking VOWST after antibiotics can help prevent
C. diff from returning

Boxing gloves icon

See clinical study results,
side effects, and more

see the results
2-step dosing icon

EXPLORE VOWST
2-STEP ORAL DOSING

HOW TO TAKE VOWST
​