C-Diff Dad in Hospital Continued

Ok, so his previous white blood count was 17,000 3 days ago, then next day 13,000, now TODAY its 11,000. He has been in the hospital a week today. He has toxic megacolon and his dilation of the colon has been 9. They said this is twice the size. It has been this size for a whole week. Not getting better or worse. So, it seems that that antibotics are killing the infection with WBC of 11,000. Why is his stomach/colon though still swelled up? Its been stable for a week like this. What makes it go down? So, if he is this close to normal range, shouldn't the swelling and inflammtion start to get better.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It is encouraging that the WBC is going down.  

Even if the antibiotics are working, it takes more time for the megacolon to resolve.  As the infection is being treated, the associated inflammation should decrease.  

That said, there is a possibility that if the colon tissues starts to die, then surgery may still be needed.  Close follow-up of the WBC and your father's clinical picture need to be done, which I'm sure is being done by his medical team.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd