Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection
Overview
Clostridioides difficile (also known as Clostridium difficile, C. difficile or C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea. It often affects people who have been taking antibiotics. It can usually be treated with a different type of antibiotic.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of a C. diff infection include: diarrhoeaa high temperatureloss of appetitefeeling sicka stomach ache
Causes
C. diff bacteria usually live harmlessly in your bowel along with lots of other types of bacteria. But sometimes when you take antibiotics, the balance of bacteria in your bowel can change, causing an infection. When someone has a C. diff infection, it can spread to other people very easily if the bacteria found in the person's poo get onto objects and surfaces. You're more likely to get a C. diff infection if: you're over 65 yearsyou're taking, or have recently taken, antibioticsyou're staying in hospital or a care home for a long timeyou have a weakened immune system – for example, from having a long-term condition like diabetes or kidney failure, or treatment like chemotherapyyou're taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such asomeprazole, or other medicines that reduce stomach acidyou've had a C. diff infection in the past you're over 65 years you're taking, or have recently taken, antibiotics you're staying in hospital or a care home for a long time you have a weakened immune system – for example, from having a long-term condition like diabetes or kidney failure, or treatment like chemotherapy you're taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such asomeprazole, or other medicines that reduce stomach acid you've had a C. diff infection in the past
Treatment
If a doctor thinks you have a C. diff infection, they may ask for a sample of your poo to be tested. The infection can sometimes be treated at home, or you might need to go into hospital. This is because C. diff infections can sometimes lead to more serious problems likesepsis. C. diff infections are treated by: stopping any antibiotics you're already taking, if possibletaking a new 10-day course of another antibiotic that can treat the C. diff infection You'll also be given advice about how to avoid dehydration, such as making sure you drink plenty of water. Your symptoms should improve a few days after starting the new course of antibiotics. But it may be 1 to 2 weeks before the infection clears up completely. Go back to see the GP if your symptoms get worse, you feel very unwell after starting the antibiotics, or your symptoms come back afterwards. If your symptoms return, or you become very unwell, treatment may need to be repeated or you may need treatment in hospital. If the C. diff infection comes back 2 or more times, you may be offered a faecal microbiota transplant. This is where bacteria from a healthy person's poo is put into your gut to help stop the infection. Carry on taking antibiotics prescribed for C. diff until you've finished all your tablets, capsules or liquid, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, your symptoms could come back.
Prevention
C. diff infections can spread very easily. There are some things you can do to reduce the risk of passing it on to others. stay at home until at least 48 hours after your diarrhoea stops stay at home until at least 48 hours after your diarrhoea stops wash your hands regularly using soap and water wash your hands regularly using soap and water clean the toilet and area around it with disinfectant after each use clean the toilet and area around it with disinfectant after each use wash clothes and sheets with poo on separately from other washing at the highest possible temperature wash clothes and sheets with poo on separately from other washing at the highest possible temperature do not share towels and flannels do not share towels and flannels do not take medicine to stop diarrhoea likeloperamide (Imodium)because it can prevent the infection being cleared from your body do not take medicine to stop diarrhoea likeloperamide (Imodium)because it can prevent the infection being cleared from your body do not use hand sanitizer as this does not kill or remove C. diff do not use hand sanitizer as this does not kill or remove C. diff