Clostridium Difficile

How to stop C. difficile spreading

Source: NHS

In this topic (8)

C.difficileinfections canbe passed onvery easily. You can reduce your risk of picking it up or spreading it by practising good hygiene, both at homeand in healthcare settings.

The following measures can help:

  • stay at home until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have cleared up
  • wash your hands regularly with soap and water, particularly after going to the toiletand before eating use liquid rather than bar soap and don't use flannels or nail brushes
  • clean contaminated surfacessuch as the toilet, flush handle, light switches and door handleswith a bleach-based cleaner after each use
  • don't share towels and flannels
  • wash contaminated clothes and sheets separately from other washing at the highest possible temperature
  • when visiting someone in hospital,observe anyvisiting guidelines, avoid taking any children under the age of 12, and wash your hands with liquid soap and water when entering and leaving ward areas don't rely on alcohol hand gels, as they're not effective against C. difficile
  • avoid visiting hospitalif you're feeling unwell or have recently had diarrhoea

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Articles for Clostridium Difficile

How to stop C. difficile spreading

C.difficileinfections canbe passed onvery easily. You can reduce your risk of picking it up or spreading it by practising good hygiene, both at homeand in healthcare settings. The following measures

How you get C. difficile

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Introduction

Clostridium difficile, also known as C. difficile or C. diff, is a bacterium that can infect the bowel and cause diarrhoea. Find out what the symptoms are, who's most at risk and how it's treated.

Looking after yourself at home

If you're well enough to be treated at home, the following measures can helprelieve your symptoms and prevent the infection spreading: make sure you finish the entire course of any antibiotics you'r

Symptoms of a C. difficile infection

Symptoms of a C. difficileinfection usually develop when you're taking antibiotics, or when you've finished taking them within the last few weeks. The most common symptoms are: watery diarrhoea , w

Treatment for C. difficile

Your GP will decide whether you need hospital treatment (if you're not already in hospital). Ifthe infection isrelatively mild, you may be treated at home. If you're in hospital, youmight be moved to

When to get medical advice

Visiting your GP surgery with a possible C. difficile infectioncan put others at risk, so it's best to call your GP or NHS 111 if you're concerned or feel you need advice. Get medical advice if: yo

Who's most at risk of C. difficile?

C. difficile mostly affects people who: have been treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (antibiotics that work againstseveral types of bacteria) or several different antibiotics at the same time,