What is Clostridiodes Difficile Associated Disease?
Clostridioides difficile (sometimes referred to as C. diff) is a type of bacterium that is present in the gut of up to 3% of health adults and 66% of infants.
It rarely causes problems in children or healthy adults as the normal bacterial population of the intestine keeps it under control.
What type of illness can it cause?
The effects of Clostridioides difficile can vary from nothing to diarrhoea of varying severity and much more unusually, to severe inflammation of the bowel that can be life-threatening.
Other symptoms can include fever, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain or tenderness.
How do you catch it?
Clostridioides difficile can cause illness when certain antibiotics disturb the balance of ‘normal’ bacteria in the gut.
It is possible for the infection to spread from person to person because those suffering from Clostridioides difficile associated disease shed the organism and spores in their stool; the spores can then survive in the environment.
The organism can be spread hand-to-mouth and affect vulnerable patients.
Who is most at risk of getting Clostridiodes Difficile?
Patients over 65 years of age with underlying illness and those who have recently taken antibiotics are most at risk of developing illness. Younger patients with underlying illnesses can also be affected.
What will happen to me if I get Clostridiodes Difficile?
- You may be asked to move either into a room or on your own or onto a designated ward or area.
- You may be asked to move either into a room or on your own or onto a designated ward or area.
- You must make sure that you wash your hands well before eating or drinking and after you have used the lavatory.
- The alcohol sanitiser is ineffective to this bacteria.
- Please keep your fingernails short and clean. Hygiene is very important in treating Clostridioides difficile; you will be offered regular personal hygiene and should change your clothes every day.
- Staff will wear aprons and gloves when looking after you and wash their hands before and after giving you care. This helps to prevent the spread of infection to other vulnerable patients.
- We are happy for you to remind us to clean our hands if we forget.
How is Clostridioides Difficile treated?
In about 15% of patients, stopping any antibiotics will resolve the symptoms.
In others, a special course of antibiotics that kill Clostridioides difficile may be prescribed by your medical team and this should settle the diarrhoea.
The medical team will make sure you are taking adequate fluids.
It is important that you are eating well. If you are losing weight or eating only half portions at meal times or missing meals, then speak to the nursing staff.
You may need to see the dietician who can assess how much you require and give you additional nutrition from extra snacks or special nutritional drinks. This will help you fight the infection.
Will my treatments or operation be delayed?
No, investigations and treatments will continue with staff taking the correct precautions. Sometimes we may have to delay non-urgent investigations if you are experiencing severe diarrhoea.
Can I have visitors?
Yes, you can have visitors as healthy people are at very little risk of getting Clostridioides difficile whilst visiting.
Visitors in poor health or on antibiotics should seek advice from their GP before visiting.
Your visitors must report to the nurse in charge before visiting and to wash their hands as they come and go. If visitors are performing personal care for you they must wear appropriate
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ward staff will advise.
Your visitors must comply with the hospital visiting policy. Please speak to staff for up to date guidelines.
We need to be able to clean very thoroughly around your bed, therefore we ask you to keep belongings to a minimum.
No unwrapped food or fruit bowls can be left out near your bed, as these may become contaminated with the Clostridioides difficile bacteria.
Visitors will not be allowed to drink or eat food on the ward.
Can my washing be sent home?
Laundry can go home and be washed as usual at the highest temperature the item can tolerate (60°C or above is preferable). Soiled laundry should be washed separately.
If you are wearing your own clothes these should be changed every day and the used clothes sent home daily.
Can I go home with Clostridioides Difficile?
You will normally wait for the diarrhoea to settle and your medical team to be satisfied that you are fit for discharge.
They will let you know if you need to continue treatment after you are discharged from hospital.
Can Clostridioides Difficile come back?
Yes, some patients may suffer a relapse of diarrhoea. Please contact your GP if you develop diarrhoea again when you are discharged from hospital.
How can I help prevent Clostridioides Difficile?
You can help stop the spread of Clostridioides difficile by making sure you always wash your hands with soap and water on entering and leaving hospital wards.
Hand hygiene is one of the most important tools in the battle against hospital acquired infection.
Hand hygiene
The role of hand hygiene can help us prevent the spread of infection.
How to wash your hands effectively with soap and water:
- Wet hands thoroughly before applying soap.
- Vigorously rub all surfaces of both hands with soap lather.
- Pay special attention to the finger tips, thumbs and between fingers (these areas are frequently missed when washing hands).
- Rinse off all the soap under running water and dry hands thoroughly.
- Always cover cuts with waterproof plasters.
- When you can, apply hand cream as this helps to prevent dryness and chapping.
Where can I get more information?
If you would like further information please speak to a member of your care staff, who may also contact the Infection Prevention and Control Team for you.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) website is another source of information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-healthsecurity-agency
Infection Prevention and Control contact details
You can contact the team Monday – Friday between 9am – 5pm on the following numbers:
Bedford
01234 795848
Luton
01582 497321