Clostridium difficile, also known as C. difficile or C. diff, is a bacterium that can infect the bowel and cause diarrhoea. Show The infection most commonly affects people who have recently been treated with antibiotics, but can spread easily to others. C. difficile infections are unpleasant and can sometimes cause serious bowel problems, but they can usually be treated with another course of antibiotics. This page covers: Symptoms of a C. difficile infection Who's most at 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 Symptoms of a C. difficile infectionSymptoms of a C. difficile infection usually develop when you're taking antibiotics, or when you've finished taking them within the last few weeks. The most common symptoms are:
In some cases, serious complications can develop, such as damage to the bowel or severe dehydration, which may cause drowsiness, confusion, a rapid heart rate and fainting. Who's most at risk of C. difficile?C. difficile mostly affects people who:
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 and care homes. However, strict infection control measures have helped to reduce this risk, and an increasing number of C. difficile infections now occur outside these settings. When to get medical adviceVisiting your GP surgery with a possible C. difficile infection can 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:
Diarrhoea can be caused by a number of conditions and is a common side effect of antibiotics, so having diarrhoea while taking antibiotics doesn't necessarily mean you have a C. difficile infection. Your GP may suggest sending off a sample of your poo to confirm whether you have C. difficile. A blood test may also be carried out to help determine how severe the infection is, and sometimes you may need tests or scans in hospital to check if your bowel is damaged. Treatment for C. difficileYour GP will decide whether you need hospital treatment (if you're not already in hospital). If the infection is relatively mild, you may be treated at home. If you're in hospital, you might be moved to a room of your own during treatment to reduce the risk of the infection spreading to others. Treatment for C. difficile can include:
C. difficile infections usually respond well to treatment, with most people making a full recovery in a week or two. However, the symptoms come back in around 1 in 5 cases and treatment may need to be repeated. Looking after yourself at homeIf you're well enough to be treated at home, the following measures can help relieve your symptoms and prevent the infection spreading:
Your GP may contact you regularly to make sure you're getting better. Call them if your symptoms return after treatment finishes, as it may need to be repeated. How you get C. difficileC. difficile bacteria are found in the digestive system of about 1 in every 30 healthy adults. The bacteria often live harmlessly because the other bacteria normally found in the bowel keep it under control. However, some antibiotics can interfere with the balance of bacteria in the bowel, which can cause the C. difficile bacteria to multiply and produce toxins that make the person ill. When this happens, C. difficile can spread easily to other people because the bacteria are passed out of the body in the person's diarrhoea. Once out of the body, the bacteria turn into resistant cells called spores. These can survive for long periods on hands, surfaces (such as toilets), objects and clothing unless they're thoroughly cleaned, and can infect someone else if they get into their mouth. Someone with a C. difficile infection is generally considered to be infectious until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have cleared up. How to stop C. difficile spreadingC. difficile infections can be passed on very easily. You can reduce your risk of picking it up or spreading it by practising good hygiene, both at home and in healthcare settings. The following measures can help:
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. Who's at riskYou're more likely to get a C. diff infection if:
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. If 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.
Carry 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. C. diff infections can spread very easily. There are some things you can do to reduce the risk of passing it on to others.
Page last reviewed: 08 February 2022 |