It's more likely now than ever that you may get bacteria
from hospitals that cause a common and sometimes deadly diarrhea, according to
a new study.
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control
and Epidemiology reported that as many as 13 out of every 1000 hospital
patients get infected with Clostridium difficile.
Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhea
and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention states on its website.
The finding indicated that the rate had increase by 20
times meaning right now as many 7,000 patients suffer the infection on any
given day, Reuters reported.
C. dificile is more dangerous to older people who are
frail and at higher risk of serious infections of the bacteria.
Below IS some information about the bacteria cited from
the CDC.
Questions and Answers
What is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)?
Clostridium difficile [klo-STRID-ee-um dif-uh-SEEL] is a
bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as
colitis.
What are C. difficile diseases?
They are diseases that result from C. difficile
infections such as Colitis, more serious instestinal conditions, sepsis, and
rarely death.
What are the symptoms of C. difficile disease?
Symptoms include:
* watery
diarrhea (at least three bowel movements per day for two or more days)
* fever
* loss of
appetite
* nausea
* abdominal
pain/tenderness
How is C. difficile disease treated?
C. difficile is generally treated for 10 days with
antibiotics prescribed by your healthcare provider. The drugs are effective and
appear to have few side-effects.
How do people get C. difficile disease?
People in good health usually don’t get C. difficile
disease. People who have other illnesses or conditions requiring prolonged use
of antibiotics and the elderly are at greater risk of acquiring this disease.
The bacteria are found in the feces. People can become infected if they touch
items or surfaces that are contaminated with feces and then touch their mouth
or mucous membranes. Healthcare workers can spread the bacteria to other
patients or contaminate surfaces through hand contact.
What should I do to prevent the spread of C. difficile to
others?
If you are infected you can spread the disease to others.
However, only people that are hospitalized or on antibiotics are likely to
become ill. For safety precautions you may do the following to reduce the
chance of spread to others:
* wash hands
with soap and water, especially after using the restroom and before eating;
* clean
surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas on a regular basis with
household detergent/disinfectants.
What should I do if I think I have C. difficile disease?
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