C diff Infection Symptoms

The must common c diff infection symptoms is diarrhoea. Then it is usually watery and contains blood or puss. In the more severe cases the patient may suffer bouts of  diarrhoea up to 15 times a day. Other c diff infection symptoms include dehydration (caused by the  diarrhoea), nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Clostridium Difficile infection at its most extreme can prove fatal to sufferers. The condition is also highly contagious. Under certain circumstances it can be prevalent in an area where people are weakened through illness or stress such as in hospital or nursing homes.

It should be noted that not all sufferers of cdiff actually show any symptoms. Between one in  20 and 30 carry c diff without any danger to themselves. But they can still spread it and make others ill. Clostridium Difficile is extremely contagious, especially in the likes of hospital or nursing homes. The toxins which are produced cause spores to form. These can exist out of the body and so can be easily be spread. One of the most common ways c diff spreads is by the spores being  inhaled through the mouth and swallowed.

Those most likely to contract c diff and display symptoms are people who have taken antibiotics or anti-ulcer medication. These medications damage the intestinal bacteria that keeps Clostridium Difficile, in those who carry it, in check. Those weakened by illness, such as patients on long term stays in hospital, are also much more prone to infection.

Certain chronic conditions can make the body more susceptible to c diff, as can age. Infants and people over 65, who have immature or weak immune systems, are more likely to catch this disease. Conditions where the immune system has to be suppressed as part of the treatment, such as cancer and HIV, also leave the patient open to c diff infection symptoms.