Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)
Clostridium difficile (also called C. difficile) is a type of bacteria (germ). C. difficile may be in your gut (bowel) as part of your normal gut bacteria. It is only considered an infection when it produces toxins which then cause symptoms.
How CDI spreads
Healthy people usually do not get CDI. You are more likely to get it if you:
- are over 65
- have a weakened immune system
- are in hospital or a long-term care facility.
Illness, surgery, medications and medical procedures can weaken your body's immune system.
You can get CDI if you touch items or surfaces that are contaminated, then touch your mouth area without having washed your hands.
You may get CDI after you have taken antibiotics. Antiobiotics alter the normal balance of bacteria in your bowel. This can allow C. difficile to increase.
Symptoms of CDI
With CDI, the C. difficile bacteria make a toxin that irritates the lining of your bowel, causing runny poos (diarrhoea).
The watery diarrhoea makes you feel unwell. Other symptoms include:
- fever (high temperature)
- loss of appetite
- feeling sick (nausea)
- stomach pain or cramp.
Your bowel might be more sensitive after having a CDI. Once you have had a CDI you need to be careful about taking antibiotics as they could cause you to get the infection again.
Complications of CDI
Up to 4 in 10 people will get CDI again.
Severe dehydration from CDI can cause kidney problems.
A bad CDI can lead to inflammation of the bowel. If the bowel gets very swollen it causes toxic megacolon (where the large intestine becomes extremely swollen and inflamed). This can be serious.
Some people get arthritis (sore, swollen joints) after a CDI.
Diagnosing CDI
CDI is diagnosed from testing a poo (faeces) sample in the laboratory.
Treating CDI
You should rest and drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to prevent dehydration. See the self care section on the gastroenteritis page for more details.
Self care with gastroenteritis
If your runny poos are severe, your healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic, such as metronidazole.
Preventing CDI
To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, it is important to have good hand hygiene. This includes washing your hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating or drinking.
Washing your hands with soap and water, and drying them thoroughly, is better at preventing the spread of diarrhoea than using alcohol-based hand rubs.
Once the runny poos stop, the risks of spreading CDI are much lower.
Care in hospital if you have CDI
If you are in hospital, you will be cared for in isolation to reduce the risk of spreading CDI to other patients. This means you will be in your own room and have your own toilet.
Hospital staff caring for you may wear gloves and gowns or aprons to stop them carrying the bacteria to other patients.
If you are in isolation, it is important that you do not visit patients in other parts of the ward or in other wards. You may be asked not to go into public areas.
Healthy visitors, including pregnant women, can carry on visiting you in hospital. They are not at increased risk of infection. But your visitors must wash their hands with soap and water, and dry them thoroughly, when they leave your room. It is unlikely the bacteria will be passed on if everyone sticks to good hand hygiene.
Your whānau can take your laundry home and wash it as usual.
CDI will not stop you going home from hospital. You will be discharged as soon as your general condition allows.
Back at home
At home, maintain good personal hygiene and household cleaning. Good hand washing is very important.
- Wash your hands well, and dry them thoroughly, after using the toilet and before eating.
- Keep the bathroom and toilet clean.
- Clean surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas often with household detergents and disinfectants.