Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a bacterium that is present naturally in the gut of around 3% of adults and 66% of children.
C. diff 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. diff bacteria can multiply and cause symptoms such as diarrhoea and fever.
As C. diff infections are usually caused by antibiotics, most cases usually happen in a healthcare environment, such as a hospital or care home. Older people are most at risk from infection, with the majority of cases (80%) occurring in people over 65.
Most people with a C. diff infection make a full recovery. However, in rare cases, the infection can be fatal.
The number of C. diff cases rose 7% between 2005 and 2006, to 55,620 in 2006. One of the main reasons for this rise is the improvement in tests to diagnose the infection, but there has clearly been an increase in the number of cases.
In most cases, C. diff infections can be prevented by following good hygiene practices in healthcare environments. However, it is extremely contagious and is spread very easily.
C. diff
C. diff is bacteria present in the gut of some people. Some types of antibiotics can cause C. diff bacteria to multiply and cause symptoms such as diarrhoea and fever.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines that can be used to treat infections caused by micro-organisms, usually bacteria or fungi. For example amoxicillin, streptomycin and erythromycin.
Bacteria
Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in the body. Some can cause illness and disease and some others are good for you.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is the passing of frequent watery stools when you go to the toilet.
Fever
A fever is when you have a high body temperature (over 38C or 100.4F).
Contagious
Contagious is when a disease or infection can be easily passed from one person to another.
