Clostridiodes difficile (CDI)

C diff is a germ that lives naturally in the bowel of around 3% of adults and normally causes no problems in healthy people.  C diff can cause infections when the use of antibiotics upsets the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, allowing C diff bacteria to multiply and cause symptoms such as diarrhoea and fever.
As C diff infections are usually caused by antibiotics, most cases happen in a healthcare environment such as a hospital.  Elderly people and people who have certain medical procedures to the bowel are most likely to get C diff infections. The symptoms of C diff infection include mild to severe diarrhoea, fever and stomach pains.  In many cases the infection is mild and will only last a few days but in some cases the symptoms may be more serious and last several weeks.

C diff infections are extremely contagious and are spread very easily so it is extremely important that staff, patients and visitors regularly wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
 
If a patient in hospital tests positive for C diff they may be isolated in a side room or given their own toilet or commode to prevent the infection spreading.  Doctors may decide to stop their antibiotics or change them to another type.
 
The latest NHS Tayside HAI Board Reports include information on CDI are available for download.

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) has published a general information leaflet on C diff for hospital patients and visitors giving guidance on what C diff is and how they can prevent the spread. This available for download below.

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