Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
medium

Temporary lactose intolerance is quite common but usually self-limited.

Lactase deficiency

short term
low

Antibiotic should be discontinued if rash develops; patient is treated with antihistamines and prednisone if reaction is severe.

variable
medium

Although TD has been identified as a risk factor for the development of irritable bowel syndrome, postinfectious forms of irritable bowel syndrome are usually of the diarrhea predominant pathotype, and may have a better prognosis than idiopathic forms of the condition.[4][6]​​[7]​​​​

Irritable bowel syndrome

variable
low

Use of antibiotics occasionally provides favorable conditions for the overgrowth of C difficile in the gut. This organism may cause a range of symptoms from watery diarrhea to severe colitis.

Clostridioides difficile-associated disease

variable
low

Microbial antigens, upon reaching the joint tissue, may activate an immune response, leading to reactive arthritis.[4][6]​ Develops about 1-4 weeks after infection (commonly after 2 weeks). Mainly affects joints of lower extremities (knees and ankles), although small joints may be involved. More likely after severe or prolonged TD; however, one prospective study found that the risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms was independent of severity of TD.[4][6][46]

Reactive arthritis

variable
low

Most common cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis.[6]​ Two-thirds of patients have had infections in the 6 weeks before symptom onset. Most common enteric pathogen leading to GBS is Campylobacter.

Guillain-Barre syndrome

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