How to Prevent the Spread of Clostridium Difficile

Clostridium difficile (also known as C. difficile) is a type of bacteria that causes a variety of symptoms, from diarrhea to colon inflammation, which can prove fatal if left untreated. C. difficile infection can occur in hospitals. However, it can be prevented through the application of simple personal hygiene and a course of antibiotics.

Things You'll Need

• Antibiotics
• Soap
• Probiotics

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Practice sound hand hygiene. C. difficile produces spores that cannot be killed by alcohol-based hand cleansers, so wash your hands regularly using soap and water. Make sure you do this for at least 15 seconds, especially after visiting the bathroom or sneezing.

• 2

  Finish the course of any antibiotics prescribed to you, even if you feel much better before they're gone. This is to prevent the bacteria developing a resistance to the antibiotics, which will make it much harder to eradicate.

• 3

  Wash your clothes separately from your other garments in a hot water cycle, dried on the highest heat possible, if they have been contaminated with feces.

• 4

  Exercise regularly, do not smoke and eat healthily. If you keep fit, your immune system will be in a better position to resist infection by C. difficile.

• 5

  Take probiotics on a regular basis. This will keep your digestive system fit and healthy, and help prevent C. difficile infection from re-occurring.