Clostridium Difficile
Who's most at risk of C. difficile?
Source: NHS
In this topic (8)
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, or thosetakinglong-term antibiotics
- have had to stayin a healthcare setting, such as a hospital or care home, for a long time
- are over 65 years old
- havecertain underlyingconditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) , cancer or kidney disease
- have a weakened immune system, which can be because of a condition such as diabetes or a side effect of a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medication
- are takinga medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce the amount of stomach acid they produce
- have had surgery on their digestive system
Many C. difficile infections used to occur in places where many people take antibiotics and are in close contact with each other, such as hospitals andcare homes.
However, strict infection control measures have helped to reduce this risk, and an increasingnumber of C. difficile infections now occur outside these settings.
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
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
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,
