Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
C. diff is a germ that causes diarrhea (loose stools) and inflamed bowels. This germ is found in the bowel movements.
People with C. diff may have:
- Diarrhea (loose stools)
- Dehydration (fluid loss)
- Fever
- Upset stomach
- Loss of appetite
- Belly pain, swelling, or aches
Who can get C. diff?
- People who are sick and have been taking antibiotics
- Older people
- People who are in the hospital
- People who have bowel disease
- People who have weakened immune systems
- People who are getting chemotherapy
C. diff is rare in children under 12 months old.
How is C. diff spread?
If you touch items that might have stool (poop) on them, then touch your mouth.
How is C. diff treated?
Your doctor will ask for a stool sample to run a test. You will get medicine if your test shows you have C. diff.
In the hospital
- You will have your own room, or you might have a roommate who also has C. diff.
- Staff with wear gowns and gloves (contact isolation precautions) to keep C. diff from spreading.
- Your care team will decide when you no longer need to be on isolation precautions.
Washing your hands in the hospital
Wash your hands:
- After using the bathroom
- Before eating
- Before leaving your room
Visitors should:
- Wash their hands each time they enter or leave your room
- Not sit on your bed or use your bathroom
Follow any other instructions given to help stop infections.
Washing your hands at home
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds (or as long as it takes to sing the “happy birthday” song twice):
- When you get home or before you leave again
- After using the bathroom
- Before cooking or eating food
Cleaning at home
- Wash all bathroom surfaces with bleach:
- Bathtub
- Shower
- Toilet seat and flush handle
- Sink
- Wash laundry
- Handle dirty clothes and linens with care. Do not shake them.
- Wear rubber or disposable gloves when touching dirty items. Wash your hands right after.
- Wash your linens alone:
- Clothes
- Sheets
- Pillow cases
- Towels
- Sheets
- Bedspreads
- Use detergent and bleach following label guides.
- Use a clothes dryer to fully dry your laundry.
- Non-soiled clothes can be washed with the family's clothes.
Wash things you touch with bleach and water.
- Use 1 1/2 cups of bleach in one gallon of water
- Clean your:
- Door handles
- Furniture that can be washed
- Sinks
- Counters
- Phone
- Light switches
Do these things until you no longer have diarrhea.