Clostridium difficile (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. Common symptoms of a C. diff infection include: 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: Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Treatments for a C. diff infectionIf 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 like sepsis. A C. diff infection is treated by:
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, treatment may need to be repeated. Important: ImportantCarry on taking your antibiotics 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. How to prevent spreading a C. diff infectionC. diff infections can spread very easily. There are some things you can do to reduce the risk of passing it on to others. Do
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Page last reviewed: 08 February 2022 What is Clostridium difficile (C. diff.)?Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) is a type of bacteria that lives in many people’s intestines. C. diff. is part of the normal balance of bacteria in your body. It also lives in the environment, such as in soil, water, and animal feces. Most people never have problems with C. diff. However, if there is an imbalance in your intestines, C. diff. may begin to grow out of control. The bacteria start to release toxins that irritate and attack the lining of your intestines. This is what leads to symptoms of a C. diff. infection. Symptoms of C. diff. infectionC. diff. infections can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms can include:
Severe symptoms can include:
Call your doctor if:
What causes a C. diff. infection?The most common risk factor for C. diff. is the use of an antibiotics. Antibiotics can disrupt the normal balance in your intestines. Your risk increases if you have taken antibiotics for a long period of time or if the antibiotic is broad-spectrum (treats a wide variety of bacteria).. People who are 65 years of age or older are at greater risk of a C. diff. infection. Other risk factors include:
If you are in good health, you likely will not get a C. diff. infection How is C. diff. diagnosed?Your doctor will need to test a stool sample to diagnose C. diff. Follow-up tests may be needed to confirm. Your doctor may do an X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan of your colon. You can test positive for a C. diff. infection without having any symptoms. This is known as C. diff. colonization. Some people are carriers for C. diff. but do not have C. diff. A positive test result plus symptoms indicate that you have an active C. diff. infection. Can a C. diff. infection be prevented or avoided?A C. diff. infection is contagious. The bacteria can spread person to person. They also live a long time on surfaces, such as toilet seats, telephones, and doorknobs. Good hygiene can help you avoid the bacteria.
If you have a C. diff. infection, wash your hands with soap and water before eating and after using the restroom. Use a chlorine bleach-based product to clean surfaces you may have touched to avoid spreading the infection to others. About 1 in 5 people who have C. diff. will get it again. C. diff. infection treatmentIf you were taking an antibiotic when your symptoms started, your doctor will probably ask you to stop taking it. They will watch you for dehydration if you have severe diarrhea. About 25% of patients begin to improve 2 to 3 days after they stop the antibiotic that caused the infection. For severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a 10-day dose of an antibiotic that has proved effective in treating C. diff. infections. Examples include metronidazole and vancomycin. You should improve after 72 hours of starting the medicine, although the diarrhea may continue. In about 15% to 35% of cases, a second round of antibiotics is needed. While you recover, drink plenty of fluids to replace what your body lost due to diarrhea. Avoid milk products and foods that contain wheat flour or are high in fiber. Your digestive tract may be sensitive to them for a few days. Living with a C. diff. infectionIf your infection gets worse, you may become dehydrated or be unable to pass stool. In rare cases, C. diff. can lead to sepsis (a life-threatening blood infection) or a puncture in your intestines. If you have diarrhea and think it could be caused by C. diff., check with your doctor before using antidiarrhea medicine. These drugs can make your infection worse. Certain probiotics, or “good bacteria,” may help prevent repeat C. diff. infections. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. They can instruct what to take along with antibiotics. Questions to ask your doctor
ResourcesWhat can cause C. diff to come back?Antibiotics are usually the cause of recurrent cases of C. diff. Ironically, two very powerful antibiotics are used to treat the disease! The most common and least expensive drug used is Flagyl (metronidazole).
What are the chances of getting C. diff again?Will I get C. diff again? About one in 6 people who've had C. diff will get infected again in the subsequent 2-8 weeks.
How do I keep getting C. diff?diff risk factors include:. older age (65 and older). recent stay at a hospital or nursing home.. a weakened immune system, such as people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs.. previous infection with C. diff or known exposure to the germs.. What is the most common way to get C. diff?Most cases of C. diff occur when you've been taking antibiotics or not long after you've finished taking antibiotics. There are other risk factors: Being 65 or older.
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How do you get c diff again
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