C Diff Bacteria – what is it, how does it spread? A Guide

What is the c diff bacteria? C. difficile is a gram-positive bacteria that forms hard to kill spores. The spores need specialist cleaning with strong bleach to destroy them. The spores cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) when not held in check by other bacteria in the human intestine.

Awakening the C Diff bacteria

These other helpful bacteria can sometimes be wiped out by antibiotic treatment for other conditions. C.diff bacterial infections will then cause pseudomembranous colitis . On rare occasions this can progress to a life threatening toxic megacolon.

There are different strains of c.difficile which can cause different types of illness. The 27 strain or NAP1, as it is sometimes called,  causes hard to treat infections that persist for some time. There are a variety of drugs that are active against the bacteria, but in extreme cases a fecal transplant is the only cure.

Is C Diff Bacteria Contagious?

C. difficile infection is a growing problem in healthcare facilities. It is also emerging as a community caught infection. It is often linked to clindamycin antibiotic use. The bacteria can release toxins that cause bloating, diarrhea and severe pain.

The c.difficile bacteria is carried by many people without an illness. It can be caught through contact with the surfaces and surroundings of someone suffering an active infection. The resulting hand contamination helps spread the infection. The hand will transfer minute amounts of bacterial matter to the mouth where it is then carried to the intestine.

C Diff bacteria is also found in the food chain and occurs in soil so initial contamination sources are not always very clear.  It can be carried into the home on the bottom of our shoes. The research is still ongoing. Read on for information on symptoms, treatment and prevention.

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Last Updated on January 1, 2021

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