C. difficile, commonly known as C. diff, is a contagious bacteria that infects the colon (large intestine). Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, fever, nausea, and dehydration. It is a leading cause of healthcare related infections worldwide, and there is currently no vaccine available to prevent it.
Knowing the signs and risk factors helps protect yourself and others from C. diff. Contact a healthcare professional for persistent or severe diarrhea, particularly during or following antibiotic use.
Are you at risk?
C. diff can affect anyone, but certain factors increase your risk:
Age
People over the age of 65 are 10 times more likely to get a C. diff infection compared to younger adults.
Recent antibiotic use
Antibiotics are a leading cause of C. diff infection, accounting for nearly half of all cases. Antibiotics can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the gut, making it easier for C. diff to grow and cause infection.
Hospitalization or frequent visits to healthcare facilities
C. diff is common in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. It can spread through contact with infected patients and commonly used surfaces.
Being immunocompromised
Medical conditions or treatments that weaken your immune system, like cancer, HIV, organ transplant, or inflammatory bowel disease, can increase your risk of infection.
Previous infection
While most people recover after treatment, about 1 in 9 people will get another C. diff infection within 8 weeks of treatment.
Living with one or more chronic conditions
Conditions such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and congestive heart failure can raise your chances of getting C. diff and, if it does occur, of having a more serious case.
Preventing C. diff infection
Habits that lower your risk
Take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.
Antibiotic use can increase your risk of C. diff infection. Discussing any questions about antibiotic use with your doctor may help reduce your risk of C. diff infection.
Practice good hygiene.
C. diff can spread through contact with contaminated hands and surfaces. Some people can carry C. diff without having symptoms. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food, may help reduce the spread of infection. If someone in your household has C. diff, follow your healthcare team's recommendations for cleaning and disinfection.
Treating C. diff infections
Why recurrence is a concern
Treatment for a C. diff infection includes antibiotics, which increases the risk of further infections. Although most people respond well to antibiotic treatment, approximately 15% to 35% suffer at least 1 recurrence. Repeat infections are hard to treat and can lead to other severe health complications, including death.3
Most people get infected through direct contact with someone who has C. diff or from touching a contaminated surface. It is common in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities, where it can spread through contact with infected patients, bathrooms, telephones, remote controls, and other surfaces. Because it is possible to carry C. diff without any symptoms, someone might not know they are contagious.4
Diarrhea has many possible causes. C. diff infection may cause frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain or tenderness, fever, nausea, and dehydration. Your healthcare professional can help you determine the cause by evaluating your symptoms, medical history, and potential laboratory testing.
There is currently no vaccine available to prevent C. diff infection. Pfizer is researching an investigational vaccine to prevent infectious diarrhea caused by C. diff. A vaccine that helps the body’s immune system defend against C. diff could help protect those at greatest risk.
References
- MayoClinic.org. C. difficile infection
- CDC.gov. After C. diff: Caring for Yourself and Others
- Gerding DN, Muto CA, Owens RC Jr. Treatment of Clostridium difficile infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2008; 46 (Suppl 1): S32-42.TT
- CDC.gov. Preventing C. diff