Can anybody tell me the true cause of an intestinal infection called c diff?

Question

also, why is it running ramped in ohio hospitals and nursing homes? serious question no cracks please!

does anybody belief its caused by the over usage of atibiotics and the loss of all good bacteris in the intestines? also would trying to replace this good bacteria help solve this problem?

Answer 1

C. diff is caused by a bacteria called Clostridium dificile. It is normally found in the colon. When other intestinal flora (bacteria) are killed off by antibiotics, or occasionally by a superinfection or suppressed immune system, then C. diff can flourish. It causes pseudomembranous colitis. Symptoms include larger volume watery stools. Treatment is to stop the antibiotic that likely caused it and to start metronidazole and increase hydration (prevent/treat dehydation).

It can be caused by not washing hands. However, this is a very tough bacteria, and has been found on walls, floors, sheets, you name it. It is often found on surfaces that were sanitized/disinfected. It can survive ammonia cleaners. This helps explain why we are seeing it more often. We also have a newer, better test for detecting it, so we are diagnosing it more often than in the past. It is very possible that it was around before, but we could not detect it as readily.

Answer 2

C- diff is a bacterial intestinal infection, that causes diarrhea. It spreads because handwashing is not used properly, those who have C-diff should be placed on contact precautions. Meaning those who visit and come in direct contact with the person should wear gloves and wash their hands after removing gloves, but before touching anything else. C- diff is everywhere, but mainly in hospitals and nursing homes, due to people who are in hopsitals are sick, and older people do not have the immune system to fight it off. Hope this helps

Answer 3

C diff causes a severe infection of the colon. It usually happens after normal gut flora is eradicated by the use of antibiotics.

I'm not sure why you say that they are running rampant. Perhaps doctors are prescribing antibiotics in greater quantities there.

Answer 4

Clostridium difficile- It is hospital acquired drug resistant bacteria.
Clostridium difficile or CDF/cdf' (pronunciation [klɒsˈtrɪdiəm dɪˈfɪsɪli]) (also referred to as C. diff or C-diff) is a species of bacteria of the genus Clostridium which are gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming rods. C. difficile is the most significant cause of pseudomembranous colitis, a severe infection of the colon, often after normal gut flora is eradicated by the use of antibiotics. Treatment is by stopping any antibiotics and commencing specific anticlostridial antibiotics, e.g. metronidazole.(Wikipedia)
Toxins produced by Clostridium difficile strains in the GI tract cause pseudomembranous colitis, typically after antibiotic use. Symptoms are diarrhea, sometimes bloody, rarely progressing to sepsis and acute abdomen. Diagnosis is by identifying C. difficile toxin in stool. Treatment is oral metronidazole or vancomycin. (Merck)
Please see the web pages for more details and images on Clostridium difficile.

Answer 5

"C-diff" is caused by an enteric bacteria called Clostridium Difficile, usually in the colon. This causes inflammation of the colon, also called colitis, which causes you to have diarrhea. C-diff is mainly a nosocomial infection (hospital acquired) because of the higher risk of cross contamination and cross infection in hospitals.

Answer 6

well like the other answers ive found it easier to post a link for you to check out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_diff

it is a bacterial problem, and i should imagine like many hospitals and health institutions globally it has become resistant in the area you mentioned, as has MRSA in the united kingdom, all that can be encouraged is greater personal hygiene by both staff and visitors when coming into contact with in-patients. i.e. using anti-bacterial hand rinses when entering and leaving the patients room etc.

Answer 7

Try this web site


WWW,NIH.COM

it is a big one, but put together by professionals in the health care field..

NIH is National Institute of Health.

Answer 8

how do you get C Diff

Answer 9

Go here, it seems to answer your question:

http://www.aboutibs.org/Publications/CDifficile.html