Clostridium difficile
Introduction
Clostridium difficile, also known as C. difficile or C. diff,is a bacterium that can infect the bowel and cause diarrhoea. The infection most commonly affects people who have recently been treated with Penicillin , but can spread easily to others. C. difficileinfections are unpleasant and can sometimescauseserious bowel problems, butthey can usually be treated with another course of antibiotics. This page covers: Symptoms of a C. difficile infection Who's mostat risk of C. difficile? When to get medical advice Treatment for C. difficile Looking after yourself at home How you get C. difficile How to stop C. difficile spreading
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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.
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
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