C Diff Incubation Period – What is your risk?

The c diff incubation period can be days or years. Some never suffer an active infection, even if they become carriers. But there are risk factors that might make you more vulnerable to an outbreak.

Where might you catch it?

There is evidence that c diff is in the environment. It may also be in the food chain.

Although C difficile has been isolated from soil, food, water, animals, asymptomatic infants, and health care environments, the role of these sources in community C difficile acquisition is not well understood.

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Many of us therefore carry the basic c diff bacteria. We could also catch it when a family member or friend has a C difficile infection outbreak. Patients are also sometimes exposed to c diff in hospital environments. This might lead to a personal infection and severe illness.




What do we know about a contagious c diff incubation period?

Most people who are carriers of c diff do not develop an active infection. Even when the c difficile has lodged in the intestine it rarely provokes an infection straight away. The intestine contains many other ‘good’ bacteria that hold it in check. C Diff outbreaks are often started by taking antibiotics for other illnesses. This can kill the good bacteria and allow the c difficile to flourish. Other triggers for a c.difficile active infection may include the use of protein pump inhibitors for acid reflux.

Stay vigilant when taking antiobiotics.

When a family member or friend has an active c difficile infection then care with hand hygiene should be taken by all household members. Those taking antibiotics for other conditions should be particularly vigilant. They will be more vulnerable to a possible infection outbreak.

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Last Updated on September 5, 2019

2 thoughts on “C Diff Incubation Period – What is your risk?”

  1. C Diff is often around and suppressed by healthy immune systems. Many ‘catch’ it but do not get ill with it. The failure of some people’s immune system often relates to antibiotics knocking out ‘good’ germs as well as the bad ones making people sick. The ‘good’ ones are often holding the c difficile back.

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