What does C. difficile smell like?

Author: Ms. Linnea Windler  |  Last update: Sunday, December 7, 2025

Many people notice a distinctive odor with C. diff diarrhea. They describe it as unusually strong and oddly sweet. This smell may be because C. diff increases the levels of bile acids in your poop.

What does a C. diff infection smell like?

C. diff may change the odor of your stool. Some people say it's an unusually strong, foul odor they hadn't noticed before. Others report a sweetness to the odor, which may be caused by bile in your stool.

What are 2 signs of Clostridium difficile?

The most common symptoms are:
  • watery diarrhoea, which can be bloody.
  • painful tummy cramps.
  • feeling sick.
  • signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, headaches and peeing less often than normal.
  • a high temperature (fever) of above 38C (100.4F)
  • loss of appetite and weight loss.

What does colitis smell like?

Foul-smelling stools are common in people with UC. There are several reasons for this: Intestinal infections can cause a "rotten" smell. Blood in the intestines can give the stools a bloody or metallic smell.

Does C. diff cause smelly gas?

Especially antibiotics, can disrupt your digestive system and even cause a C. diff infection. This may result in some smelly gas emissions.

C-Difficile Warning | CBC

What virus causes foul smelling gas?

Symptoms of giardiasis

farting (flatulence) smelly burps – they may smell like eggs.

What does C. difficile poop look like?

Frequent, foul smelling, watery stools characterize mild cases of C. difficile disease. More severe symptoms, indicative of pseudomembranous colitis, include diarrhea that contains blood and mucous and abdominal cramps. An abnormal heartbeat may also occur.

What does gut bacteria smell like?

H2S is characterized by a pungent odor that resembles rotten eggs. Whoever smelt it dealt it… especially if what's been dealt smells like rotten eggs. The culprit behind that eggy stink is hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a colorless, pungent gas produced by both host both mammalian and bacterial cells in the gut.

What does colitis poop look like?

Ulcerative colitis can change the texture, color, and smell of your poop. You may notice that your stools are looser, contain blood or mucus, or smell foul. UC can also change your bowel movement habits, including how often or urgently you need to go.

How long are you contagious with C. diff?

Once someone is diagnosed with a C. diff infection, treatment usually involves a 10- to 14-day course of antibiotics proven to work against the bacteria. Someone with C. diff is typically considered contagious until 48 hours after their symptoms end.

What kills the C. diff virus?

Antibiotics are the main treatment for C. difficile infection. Commonly used antibiotics include: Vancomycin (Firvanq Kit). Fidaxomicin (Dificid).

How can you tell if you have a bacterial infection in your intestines?

Bacterial gastroenteritis is a digestive problem caused by bacteria. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and pain. In severe cases, you may become dehydrated and have an electrolyte imbalance.

What is the number one cause of C. diff?

Illness from C. difficile often occurs after using antibiotic medicines. It mostly affects older adults in hospitals or in long-term care settings. People not in care settings or hospitals also can get C. difficile infection.

What are the signs of sepsis with C. diff?

The most common symptom of C. difficile infection is watery diarrhea [3]. Other symptoms which can be seen with C. difficile infection are abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes blood in the stool.

Does diff fluid smell bad?

Burning Smell from the Differential

When you notice a bad smell coming from your gearbox, you should take it as a sign of bad differential oil which can be contaminated hence not operating as it should be.

What does it smell like when you have a bacterial infection?

A fishy or foul stench that won't go away could be a sign of infection or another condition -- especially if it comes with itching, burning, or discharge. Bacterial vaginosis, caused by too much normal bacteria, is the most common reason. The sexually transmitted infection (STI) trichomoniasis also causes odor.

What does diverticulitis poo look like?

Narrow or pellet-like stools: if you have advanced or severe diverticulitis, your large intestine may narrow, causing stool to become thin, narrow or pellet-shaped.

What does Crohn's poop smell like?

Crohn's disease poop may be loose and watery if you have diarrhea or hard and small if you have constipation. Your poop may appear oily or pale. It may also have blood or mucus in it. Sometimes, Crohn's disease poop is foul-smelling.

What does bacterial overgrowth smell like?

Excessive bacteria in the small intestine can cause extreme amounts of rotten-smelling gas and belching, causing your breath to have an unpleasant smell. This condition is referred to as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

How can you tell if you have bad bacteria in your gut?

While we cannot use one specific measure for our gut health , some signs that you may have poor gut health include:
  • digestive symptoms – such as gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and heartburn.
  • sleep disturbances or fatigue.
  • mood/emotional state – such as high stress, low mood or anxiety.

Does C. diff have a smell?

What does C. diff poop smell like? Many people notice a distinctive odor with C. diff diarrhea. They describe it as unusually strong and oddly sweet. This smell may be because C. diff increases the levels of bile acids in your poop.

What are three symptoms of intestinal infection?

Some common symptoms of bowel infection include:
  • diarrhoea.
  • nausea.
  • vomiting.
  • crampy abdominal pain.
  • fever.
  • headache.

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