Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) are bacteria that are present naturally in the gut of around two-thirds of children and 3% of adults.
C. difficile does not cause any problems in healthy people. However, some antibiotics that are used to treat other health conditions can interfere with the balance of 'good' bacteria in the gut. When this happens, C. difficile bacteria can multiply and produce toxins (poisons), which cause illness such as diarrhoea and fever (see Symptoms of C. difficile infection for more information). At this point, a person is said to be infected with C. difficile.
Who is affected?
As C. difficile infections are usually caused by antibiotics, most cases happen in a healthcare environment, such as a hospital or care home.
Older people are most at risk from infection, and most cases occur in people aged over 65 (for more information, see Who is most at risk from C. difficile infection?). Children under the age of two are not usually affected.
How common is it?
In recent years, the number of C. difficile infections has fallen rapidly.
In 2007-08, there were 55,498 cases reported across England. In 2008–09, there were 36,095 reported cases. This is a decrease of 35%.
Prevention
C. difficile bacteria spread very easily. Despite this, C. difficile infections can usually be prevented by practising good hygiene in healthcare environments, such as washing hands regularly and cleaning surfaces using products containing bleach (see Prevention of C. difficile infection for more information).
Outlook
You will only need treatment for a C. difficile infection if you have symptoms. Sometimes, stopping the antibiotics is enough to clear the infection. If symptoms are more severe, you may need to take medication to clear the infection (see Treating C. difficile infection for more information).
Most people with a C. difficile infection make a full recovery. However, in rare cases, the infection can be fatal.
