Tummy issues after taking care of patients with... tummy issues

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This has been going on for awhile for me and I am wondering if others have had a shared experience. It may very well be all in my head as i can not find any studies related or any other RN's with similar experiences.

I seem to have GI disturbances after taking care of patients with loose stools, not every time, just the rough ones. I can say it seems to happen more often with diagnosed/suspected patients with c-diff, but I really can't be sure.

Onset of symptoms seems to be the night of, and a couple days follow taking care of patients in this circumstance. Abdominal cramping, loss of appetite, stools of varying consistency (softer than normal to loose).

I began to notice this last year or so, feel like it has been going on for a while before that.

RN for 9 years in various capacities.

Any insight appreciated.

-beast

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Hello, and welcome to Allnurses.com!

Be cognizant that we cannot, per the Terms of Service (TOS) of the site, offer any medical advice. For that, you will need to see your PCP. We wish you the best of luck with your issues and hope you can find a resolution swiftly.

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab, Hospice.

No medical advice, but I do have a friend that got C-diff from a patient and was sick with it off and on for quite awhile.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Maybe i has nothing to do with your patient contact but that you have an underlying irritable bowel. Speak with your PCP.

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