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What facts should I know about C. diff (Clostridium difficile)?
What is a bacterial infection? What is the medical definition of C. diff? Clostridium difficile or C. diff is a bacterium. Microscopically it is referred to as gram-positive and rod-shaped. It exists best in a low-oxygen environment. It was first described in 1935 and is considered one of the most common causes of infections in the colon. Clostridium difficile is also referred to as C. diff and C. difficile. How contagious is C. diff to a healthy person? C. diff can be found in uninfected people. However, people taking antibiotics are at risk of becoming infected with this bacterium as antibiotics disrupt the normal bowel bacteria and allow C. diff to grow rapidly (proliferate). The growth of C. diff in the colon leads to inflammation of the colon (colitis, specifically pseudomembranous colitis). Adults aged 65 years and older are at higher risk to become infected. C. diff Infection Symptoms & SignsA person with a mild C. diff (C. difficile) infection may have symptoms of
A person with severe C. diff infection may have symptoms of
Is C. diff (Clostridium difficile) contagious?Yes, C. diff is contagious. Microorganisms can be spread from person to person by touch or by direct contact with contaminated objects and surfaces (for example, clothing, cell phones, and door handles). Some individuals are carriers of this bacterium but have no symptoms of infection. However, these people who are still infected with the bacteria can spread the infection to others. In general, the bacteria have to increase in number rapidly to cause disease, so the bacteria can be transferred to people, but not cause significant infection immediately. The disease occurs when conditions favor the growth of these organisms. Conditions that favor growth are
Avoiding direct and indirect physical contact with contaminated areas reduces the likelihood of contagion. QUESTIONBowel regularity means a bowel movement every day. See AnswerHow do I know if I have an infection caused by C. diff?
Although the incubation period for Clostridium difficile is not precisely known, researchers suggest that the incubation period is about seven days if the conditions are favorable for bacterial proliferation. However, a person may acquire C. diff and develop no infection symptoms, but be colonized for extended time periods (years) until conditions develop that favor C. diff proliferation. Symptoms of C. diff infection can be mild such as watery diarrhea three or more times a day with mild abdominal pain or tenderness or maybe more severe with diarrheal episodes reaching 15 times a day with severe abdominal pain, blood or pus in the stool, fever, weight loss and loss of appetite. In most instances, the confirmatory diagnosis is made by detecting a cytotoxin produced by C. diff in the patient's stool sample. Health NewsHow does C. diff spread?As described above, Clostridium difficile can be spread from person to person by direct contact and indirect contact with contaminated objects (clothing, eating utensils, and tabletops, for example). C. diff spreads easily in hospitals because often the highest concentrations of these bacteria are in hospitalized patients treated with antibiotics. Strict hand washing techniques and patient isolation methods can reduce C. diff spread in hospitals and other areas. How will I know if I am no longer contagious for C. diff?
People infected with C. diff who become ill usually are treated with special antibiotics (metronidazole (Flagyl), vancomycin (Vancocin), rifaximin (Xifaxan), and/or fidaxomicin) for about 10 to 14 days. Severe infections may require intravenous antibiotics and even surgery. A person with C. diff becomes less contagious as the symptoms decrease, and little or no toxin is detected in their stools. However, since the person previously infected is still capable of relapsing and/or becoming a carrier for Clostridium difficile, it is difficult to say if they are no longer contagious. However, the person is less likely to transfer C. difficile to others when their symptoms resolve after treatment. SLIDESHOWBacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See SlideshowWhen should I seek medical care for C. diff?
Subscribe to MedicineNet's General Health NewsletterBy clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time. Medically Reviewed on 9/28/2022 References Aberrra, F.N. "Clostridium difficile Colitis." Medscape. Updated: Apr. 6, 2017. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/186458-overview>. United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clostridium difficile Infection. <http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/organisms/cdiff/Cdiff_infect.html>. How long after starting antibiotics for C. diff are you contagious?You're usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, but this time period can sometimes vary. For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longer to absorb them, or if you're taking other medicine that interacts with the antibiotics.
When are you no longer contagious with C. diff?C. difficile diarrhea may be treated with a course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor and taken by mouth. Once you have completed treatment and diarrhea is resolved, your infection is no longer contagious and you no longer need to take any special precautions.
How long does it take for vancomycin to work on C. diff?Most patients respond in several days. In one study of patients with mild-to-moderate disease, symptoms resolved in an average of 3.0 days with vancomycin and 4.6 days with metronidazole.
How contagious is C. diff to a healthy person?diff contagious? Yes, but most healthy adults who come in contact with C. diff won't get sick. They won't pick up the germs or be affected by them at all.
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