HSC Health and Social Care
Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a bacteria that some people may carry in their bowel. C. difficile is normally kept under control by good bacteria in the bowel.
Certain antibiotics may change the natural balance of bacteria in the bowel. This enables C. difficile to multiply and produce toxins that may cause illness, including diarrhoea, that can have a particularly unpleasant smell.
Other symptoms of C. difficile infection may include stomach cramps, fever, nausea, loss of appetite and passing blood.
C. difficile is passed out in the faeces (diarrhoea) of people who are carrying the bacteria. So if you have C. difficile diarrhoea, or if you carry C. difficile, the bug can spread to the surrounding area, including toilet, clothing, hands, equipment or furniture.
C. difficile can survive for a long time in the environment. People can accidentally pick it up by touching surfaces with their hands and then touching their mouth or eating.
People may spread the C. difficile bacteria by not washing and drying their hands thoroughly.
In many cases C. difficile infection may be mild and will only last a few days.
In some cases the effects are more serious, lasting for several weeks, and it will be necessary to treat the infection.
Symptoms of severe infection include more frequent episodes of diarrhoea (which may have blood present), fever, severe abdominal cramps, dehydration, feeling sick, loss of appetite and weight loss.
There is a range of tests carried out by the laboratory. These tests may show if you are potentially carrying the C. difficile bacteria in your gut or if you have a C. difficile infection. The results of these tests, together with your clinical symptoms, will determine if you need an antibiotic. This will be decided by your doctor.
Patients/clients with C. difficile are usually nursed in a single room to help prevent the spread of infection to others.
Sometimes patients are nursed in a bay with others who have a similar infection.
Each patient/client with C. difficile must have their own toilet or commode.
Healthcare staff will wear gloves and aprons whilst providing care and will wash their hands carefully before leaving your room.
Nightwear and bed linen should be changed daily when C. difficile infection is present or when soiled.
Rooms must be cleaned at least daily, with a chlorine-based cleaning product.
Thorough hand washing with soap and water is very important (especially after using the toilet). Proper drying, using a disposable paper towel, is also important. Hand sanitisers are not effective against "C. difficile".
You will only need treatment if you have symptoms of active C. difficile infection ie diarrhoea. No treatment is needed if the C. difficile bacteria are living harmlessly in your gut and you do not have diarrhoea. If certain antibiotics have caused the diarrhoea, they may be either stopped or changed to an alternative antibiotic.
If you have active C. difficile infection, then a specific antibiotic will be prescribed to help clear up the infection.
Yes. They will be asked to wash their hands with soap and water before and after visiting you (see Advice for visitors).
If you are visiting a patient or client with C. difficile you should:
If you require further advice or information, please contact the hospital's Infection Prevention and Control Team or a member of the ward/care home staff.
Infection prevention and control is everyone's responsibility.
Healthcare workers, patients and visitors all have an important role to play in preventing the spread of healthcare associated infections.
HSC Public Health Agency
DHSSPS Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Produced by the Public Health Agency, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS. Tel: 028 9032 1313. www.publichealth.hscni.net
05/13