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C. difficile
C. difficile is a common bacterium that occurs naturally in the intestine. A C. difficile infection can cause diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions. For healthy people, it usually causes no harm. However, the elderly, those who are seriously ill, and those with poor health have an increased risk of developing CDI ( C.difficile-associated disease). CDI can result in a range of conditions from mild diarrhea to, in severe cases, life-threatening illness.
Patients with CDI can shed "clostridial spores". These spores can survive in the environment for a long time. The spores can spread through hand contact in health care settings to patients who are already sick and vulnerable to infection. The bacteria can enter the stomach if the mouth is touched or if food is handled after contact with a contaminated surface. Once in the stomach, the bacteria will usually not cause any problems. However, if the normal bowel bacteria is disturbed, which can happen when antibiotics are taken,
C. difficile bacteria may grow and produce a toxin that will cause illness.
Some strains of C. difficile spread more persistently because they have developed resistance to medication.
Read more facts about C. difficile and find out about the rates of infection in Ontario hospitals.
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