Shouldve Couldve Wouldve but Didnt!

[All_was_good_til_now]

Prior to a weekend trip to Vegas, I had been on a antibiotic for 14 days for a sinus infection.  Well low and behold when the boys gets together for a weekend in Vegas, alcohol is usually the first thing on board.  So now I have antibiotics on board, large quantities of alcohol, and a boat load of dirty poker chips just clinging in my pocket.  What better thing to do next, yep you guessed it Masssage Parlor.  My fearless experienced leader lead us the way and before you know it Im naked and I have some masseues (lets call it what it really is CSW) strappin on a rubber and lube and ready to take my money.  Needless to say I obliged to her requests, not too hard to do when your hammered and not thinking straight.  Well the intercourse whent off without a hitch all 2.5 - 3 mins and everything was in tack upon withdrawal.  However about a week later I have come down with what my Dr thinks is "C-Diff"  wow this one *****.  Is this a sign of HIV?  Test results are not back yet but I am a nervous wreck thinking there is a link between the two (c-diff and HIV).  Any insight you may have would be greatly appreciated.  Gosh Im glad I finally got that out there for the good drs to read.  Sleepless night suck!  Best wishes to all and thank you again

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Nicely put monkeyflower.

Your risk factor for C. dificile was not your trip to the massage parlor but your antibiotics.  The antibiotics kill off normal bacteria which are present most people’s colons, allowing the C. dificile bacteria which are also present in  many people's colon but resistant to antibiotics to overgrow and cause severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.  I know of no information to suggest that C. dificile is more common in person with HIV than person who do not ahve it.

Monkeyflower is also correct that C. dificile is highly contagious with the most common route of spread being due to poor hand washing.  Take care.  EWH

[monkeyflower]

Not a doctor, but I thought I might be able to reassure you a little while you wait, sleeplessly, for one of the good doctors to respond :-) I think your c diff was probably caused by your 14 day antibiotic use. That's the usual cause. Antibiotics can kill off some of the 'good' bacteria in your gut, allowing 'bad' bacteria like c diff to overgrow and thrive. Further reassurance: you weren't at any risk of HIV from what you describe.

Of course, I don't know that knowing it's not related to HIV is actually all that reassuring; c diff does not sound like fun. I hope you feel better soon.

On a side note, I'm not medical, but I work in an ED. There are lots of ooky bacteria and viruses out there. Wash your hands.