Clostridium difficile
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 a room of your own during treatment to reduce the risk of the infection spreading to others.
Treatment for C. difficile can include:
- stoppingthe antibiotics thought to be causing the infection, if possible in mild cases, this may be the only treatment that's needed
- taking a 10 to 14-day course of antibiotics that are known to kill C. difficile bacteria
- rarely,seriousinfections mayrequiresurgery to remove a damaged section of the bowel
C. difficile infectionsusually respond well to treatment, with most people making a full recovery in a week or two. However, the symptoms come back in around 1 in 5 cases and treatment may need to be repeated.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
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.
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
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,
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
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
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
How you get C. difficile
C. difficile bacteria are found in thedigestive systemof about 1 in every 30 healthy adults. The bacteriaoften live harmlessly because the other bacteria normally found in the bowel keep it under cont
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
Subscribe
Ask the doctor
Rate this article
Find products