Wednesday, February 22, 2012

"C. DIFF"


CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION

What is Clostridium difficile infection?

Germ that causes diarrhea
C. diff spores can live outside the human body for a very long time and can be found on things, such as bed linens, bed rails, bathroom fixtures, and medical equipment

Can spread person-to-person on contaminated equipment and on the hands of MDs, nurses, healthcare personnel, and visitors

Most often occurs in patients taking antibiotics

Signs and Symptoms
  • Watery diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Abdominal tenderness

Risk Factors

Anyone who has taken antibiotic, risk increases if you take broad spectrum antibiotics to treat a wide range of bacteria, use several antibiotics, or take antibiotics for extended period of time.
Any person over 65 of age, the risk of infection is 10 times greater for people 65 and older when compared to younger people

Anyone who is hospitalized or have been recently, especially for a long period of time

Anyone who lives in a nursing home or ECF

Anyone with a weakened immune system or serious medical condition

Anyone who has had abdominal surgery or gastrointestinal procedure
Anyone is has a colon disease such as colorectal cancer

Anyone who has had C. diff infection before


antibiotics-without-prescription.com
Treatment

Antibiotics
In severe cases a person may have to have surgery to remove the infected portion of the intestines

Reference:

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