Clostridium Difficile Diarrhoea
A guide for service users, carers and visitors.
What is Clostridium difficile?
Clostriidium difficile (sometimes referred to as C.diff) is a type of bacterium that is present in the gut of some healthy adults and approximately 65% of infants.
Clostridium difficile rarely causes problems in children, or healthy adults as the normal bacteria in the intestine keep it under control.
What type of illness can it cause?
The symptoms of clostridium difficile can vary from nothing, to diarrhoea of differing severity and sometimes inflammation of the bowel.
Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and very rarely a fever.
How can you catch it?
Clostridium difficile can cause illness when certain antibiotics disturb the balance of the “normal” bacteria in the gut.
It is possible that some person – to – person spread may occur, because those suffering from clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea can produce spores in their stools which can then survive in the environment e.g. in toilet areas and commodes. They can survive for a long time and be a source of infection for others. It is therefore important to keep your environment as clean as possible. In hospital, the staff will help with this.
How is the infection diagnosed?
A sample of diarrhoea is tested in the laboratory for the presence of clostridium difficile. This is the main diagnostic test and usually gives a result within one - two working days. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed repeat specimens need not be collected unless advised by the IPCT.
Who is most at risk?
Those who have recently taken antibiotics are at most risk of developing clostridium difficile. Some people with underlying illness can also be affected.
How will I be cared for if I develop clostridium difficile diarrhoea?
You may be asked to move either into a room on your own if you are in hospital. You must make sure that you wash your hands well with soap and water (not hand sanitiser) before eating or drinking, and after you have used the toilet.
Healthcare staff will wear gloves and aprons when supporting you with any care needs. All staff will wash their hands after every care episode with you as this is good infection control practice, so do not be alarmed. Our staff are happy for you to remind them if they forget to wash their hands.
How is Clostridium difficile treated?
Usually a particular course of antibiotics will be prescribed by the doctors caring for you. It is important that you drink fluids regularly and maintain a good dietary intake.
Will any of my treatment be delayed?
If you are experiencing severe diarrhoea then non-urgent investigations may be delayed until your symptoms improve. Otherwise your planned treatment should continue.
Can I have visitors?
You may continue to have visitors, at home, and in hospital, as healthy people are at very little risk of acquiring clostridium difficile.
Your visitors will be encouraged to wash their hands on entering the ward and on leaving.
How will my room be cleaned?
In hospital we need to be able to clean your room and around your bed. We therefore ask that you try to keep personal belongings to a minimum to assist with this.
We also ask that you do not keep any food, including bowls of fruit in your room or near your bed as such items can easily be contaminated with clostridium difficile.
How should my clothes and bedding be washed?
Laundry can be washed as usual at the highest temperature the fabric will tolerate. Soiled laundry should be washed separately though. We also recommend clothes are tumble dried and/or steam ironed.