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Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
• Clostridioides difficile or "C. diff" (pronounced See-dif) is a germ that
can cause severe diarrhea. Most cases of C. diff infection occur in
patients who are taking antibiotics. While anyone can get C. diff,
people who were recently in the hospital have the highest risk. C. diff
can live outside the human body for a long time, in the bathroom, on
medical equipment, on other surfaces, and on hands.
Tell a healthcare professional if you have:
• Fever
• Watery or bloody diarrhea
• Belly pain and tenderness
• Loss of appetite
• Signs of dehydration (peeing less than normal or fewer wet diapers
than usual, dry mouth or throat, head pain, crying with few or no tears).
Follow the Steps to Prevent HAIs, and:
• Visitors may be asked to wear disposable gowns and gloves during
the visit. Requirements for wearing gowns and gloves may vary by
facility. If visitors are asked to wear gloves, they should clean their
hands before and after using them.
• Ask your visitors to not use the bathroom in your hospital room.
• Ask visitors to clean their hands before entering and after exiting
your hospital room.
• After returning home:
a. Use hot water to wash clothes and bed linens.
b. Wash dishes with soap and water and dry them.
c. Use a separate bathroom if you have diarrhea. If a separate
bathroom is not available, be sure the bathroom is cleaned well
after you use.
d. Tell anyone else who is caring for you that you have C. diff (for
example, home health nurses and aides, therapists, and doctors'
offices).
