C Diff In Our Hospitals

C diff in our hospitals is major problem, though it should be understood this has nothing to do with poor cleanliness or hygiene on the wards. Indeed, c diff is resistant to most traditional cleaning methods. While such cleaning kills most bugs, it can make c diff form spores. If breathed through the mouth and swallowed the spores can spread infection.

New techniques have been developed to destroy the c diff bug, and these include deep steam cleaning. Deep steam cleaning and the use of specialist cleaning agents in our hospitals are being used in the battle against clostridium difficile.

People go into hospital expecting to get better. They are certainly not expecting to contract another disease. Sadly, this not always the case. Patients can catch other diseases while in our hospitals, one of which c diff infection. 

Patients and visitors also have their role to play in the battle against clostridium difficile. They should be encouraged to regularly wash their hands. Visitors should use the alcohol gel provided on the wards before touching patients, especially those who have undergone surgery.  And as an added precaution people suffering from diarrhoea, or have a cough and cold should be discouraged from visiting.

C diff infection is usually caused by antibiotics. It should be noted that only a small minority of people carry clostridium difficile in their system, but it is kept safe by the presence of other bacteria. The antibiotics damage these bacteria allowing the c diff to form toxins. These toxins form spores and a contagious and potentially fatal infection ensues.

Hospitals treat c diff infection with other antibiotics. However, up to a third of c diff sufferers suffer a relapse and alternative antibiotics have to be prescribed.

Even though clostridium difficile infection is usually caused by antibiotics there are no plans to halt their use. Antibiotics have been responsible for saving lives for decades. Should their use be stopped, there would be deaths from a host of other infections. In the meantime, the struggle continues to half the spread of c diff in our hospitals.