Clostridium difficile is a bacterium which infects the bowel and causes persistent diarrhoea.
Overview
What is clostridium difficile?
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that lives in the intestines and bowel. Infection can occur when the number of bacteria get out of control.
What are the symptoms of C. difficile infection?
C. difficile causes persistent diarrhoea and other symptoms including stomach cramps, nausea, dehydration, loss of appetite and weight loss.
How did I catch C. difficile?
Most often C. difficile is spread via spores left on surfaces such as toilet handles and kitchen work surfaces.
How do I get tested?
Book a simple stool test now.
Did You Know?
70% of babies carry C. difficile in their gut without experiencing any adverse symptoms
What is Clostridium difficile?
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium which (usually) lives harmlessly in the intestines and bowel of millions of people globally. Estimates vary, but it’s likely that between 1 in 20 and 1 in 30 adults will have C. difficile.
What causes a C. difficile infection?
There are many different types of bacteria in your gut and each helps to keep the others in check, ensuring your body maintains a healthy balance. Sometimes however, conditions in the intestines and bowel can change. Some antibiotic treatments, for example, can upset the balance of bacteria and enable the C. difficile to overgrow and produce a harmful toxin.
Other factors that increase the likelihood of a C. difficile infection are:
- Being over 65
- A prolonged stay in a hospital or rest/nursing home
- A weakened immune system (for example, because of diabetes, chemotherapy or HIV)
Symptoms of C. difficile infection?
Persistent watery diarrhoea – particularly after a course of antibiotics - is the most common sign of C. difficile infection and brings with it a range of other diarrhoea-related symptoms including:
- Stomach cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
How did I catch C. difficile?
When C. difficile escapes the body it forms durable, long lasting spores that will survive on surfaces such as toilet and door handles and food preparation surfaces. This makes it easy for bacteria to transfer from person to person.
Properly washing hands and regularly disinfecting surfaces can help control the spread of C. difficile.
How can this test help me?
A positive test indicates that your diarrhoea is caused by toxins resulting from an overgrowth of C. difficile. Once confirmed, see your GP who may then recommend an alternative antibiotic to bring the C. difficile numbers back under control.
How do I get tested?
A simple stool test is all you need.
To get tested please contact Better2Know your Body on the number above or click book now.