Clostridium difficile
goodtoknow says: Clostridium difficile is a common bacterial infection that many people get from taking antibiotics. The longer the course, the more likely you are to catch it, even two months after you've finished taking them. But don't worry. Clostridium difficile usually causes nothing more than a mild stomach upset and diarrhoea. The easiest way to treat it is it is to stop taking antibiotics. But hospital patients are particularly at risk because without good personal hygiene it can spread quickly, especially amongst the elderly. It can also be dangerous in people who are feeble or unwell. 8 in 10 cases happen to people over 65.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of Clostridium difficile from patient.co.uk, read on.
Infection with Clostridium difficile most commonly occurs in people who have recently had a course of antibiotics and are in hospital. Symptoms can range from mild diarrhoea to a life threatening inflammation of the bowel. No treatment may be needed in mild cases, but treatment with specific antibiotics is needed in more severe cases.
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