Hot Topics Latest A new superbug competes with MRSA for dubious top honors
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The previous scene is getting played out more and more frequently. C. diff, Clostridium difficile, was typically confined to older patients in hospitals and residents in nursing homes; associated with diarrhea that responded well to conventional treatments. Unfortunately, C. diff has evolved into a form that is highly resistant to even today's most powerful antibiotics. The newer, more virulent strain of C. diff is referred to as NAP1 which produces roughly 20 times the toxins as the normal strain, overwhelming the body's immune system. This strain can cause illnesses which range from simple diarrhea to colitis to sepsis (blood poisoning) and even death. Toxic strain probably in your state already According to the Centers for Disease Control, the most toxic strain of C. diff is becoming more widespread. 38 states have confirmed cases of C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) with the mutant NAP1 strain:
What is troubling scientists and doctors even more are the cases of CDAD involving younger, healthier individuals. A study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), relayed several cases of patients with CDAD that resulted in extended hospital stays and even death. In one case, a 31 year old pregnant women contracted CDAD. She spent nearly a month in the hospital over two extended stays and tragically died along with her unborn children. Fortunately, not every case has such a horrendous ending. A ten year old girl was taken to the hospital in severe abdominal distress. She responded well to treatment after being admitted through IV fluids, electrolytes and a powerful antibiotic. CDAD occurring with greater frequency The number of cases of CDAD is also increasing rapidly. The CDC reported that infections resulting from C. diff more than doubled between 2000 and 2005. Over 300,000 cases of CDAD were reported in 2005 according to hospital discharge records with almost 29,000 people dying that contracted the illness. Recognizing that many cases go unreported and the statistics do not include long-term care facilities, the total number of people that contracted CDAD is certainly higher. The C. diff bacteria produce anaerobic spores that can survive for several months on most common surfaces. The infection is spread when people ingest the bacteria after touching a contaminated item or food. The bacteria has been found in hospital room bed rails, telephones, blood pressure cuffs, tabletops, curtains and other surfaces of infected patients. Healthcare workers caring for an infected patient, pick up the spores on their hands, and inadvertently spread them to other patients. Unless stringent infection control practices are followed, the C. diff spores can remain in the room, waiting to infect the next patient. Fighting the battle Making the fight against C. diff even more difficult, common hospital germicides and the ubiquitous Purell-like alcohol hand sanitizers don’t kill C. diff, experts have stated. To eliminate it from surfaces a bleach solution is necessary. Good old hand washing is also effective due to the friction. The best way to combat C. diff is to prevent it. The following practices should be considered when attempting to avoid C. diff and other similar bacteria in a hospital setting:
In the unfortunate situation CDAD is contracted, antibiotic treatment may be required with metronidazole or vancomycin. In serious cases, intravenous medications or surgery may be necessary. Remain GermAware Obviously the ideal situation for everyone is to remain healthy and avoid C. diff. Remaining GermAware when faced with superbugs like C. diff and MRSA is only common sense. Take the time to remain educated, healthy and prepared. It may make a difference for you, your family and friends. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites         
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written by bev , June 05, 2008
i also contracted c-diff, i was sick with this for already 2 months. still i am not at my best. i am a 46 year old woman who works in a nursing home, who got it from a resident. i was severly dehydrated, the diarreha was the worst of anything. i relapsed 3 times, now i hope i am on the oad to recovery. i hope nobody ever ges c-diff.
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written by lynn , June 10, 2008
I know someone with cdiff she works with the elderly is it safe for her to be working there she is on antibiotics and she claims the nurse told her she could work, is this true.
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written by Sue , June 20, 2008
I have just been diagnosed with c.diff after taking antibiotics. The diarrhea is horrible and the cramping is the worst! I'm having a hard time working but I've only been on meds for 5 days so far. I pray that I don't have a relapse as once is enough already! Sounds like I should worry about passing it on to my boyfriend. Glad there are precautions listed
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written by dthomas , June 20, 2008
If you do contract c. diff, it is critical to practice basic infection control techniques with the expanded use of a 1-to-10 bleach solution. Remember, c.diff is not killed by alchohol. Getting c. diff after taking antibiotics does happen as the antibiotics kill off the some of the "flora" which typically keeps c. diff in check. Make sure you wash your hands completely and clean any suspect areas like bathrooms with the bleach based cleaners. Hope you feel well soon.
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written by agraham , July 04, 2008
I would like everyone to be aware that when you visit patients in the hospital with diarrhea, YOU SHOULD TREAT EACH PERSON AS IF THEY MIGHT HAVE C.DIFF. because the staff might not. My mother was admitted to her local hospital and EVEN AFTER TELLING US WHAT SHE HAD - THEY DID NOT PLACE MY MOTHER IN ISOLATION OR TELL US TO WASH OUR HANDS. We do have some family that work in the hospital and they told us. Our family was also the one to tell us to disinfect her bathroom and bedroom and kitchen where she had had many accidents. Bottom line to me - Learn more and protect yourself.
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written by GermAware , July 07, 2008
Thanks agraham, very well said. With the increasing cases of C. diff, you are better off assuming the person may have C. diff vs. suffering the possible consequences. BTW, it is atrocious that the hospital did not place your mother in isolation after she had C. diff. I have spoken to local hospital staff and in my area if a person has C. diff they are immediately placed in isolation. Once the person has been discharged, the room is cleaned from top to bottom.
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written by Cindy , July 12, 2008
I was diagnosed with C diff years ago. Being into alternative medicine,I refused the normal treatment. I began taking Jordan Rubin's Primal Defense (PD). Increasing by one each day until I reached 12 daily. In one month, I had severe diarrhea, but being aware of Herxheimer Reaction, I knew I was killing the bacteria and they were dying off, so I endured the dizziness, nausea, headaches and achiness. Increased water and fiber. Continued on PD for three more months, but was retested after the first month. No C diff., and I felt great and gained my weight back after a few months. Hope this helps someone.
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PS About a year after choosing to NOT take the Flagyl and taking PD instead, I researched where Flagyl causes cancer. I always pray about what I need to do first. You have to be a thinking person and research (and cross reference and get with those who understand alternative medicine) if you are to be well in this day and time. report abuse
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written by Cindy , July 12, 2008
If anyone would like to contact me concerning my comment on the C diff and Primal Defense, my email is
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written by mavs , July 20, 2008
im working in the retirement home but my resident return from the nursing home had a c diff.it is safe forme to work this resident that now im pregnant? i always wash my hands and use gloves before entering her room.
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written by Pamela , July 24, 2008
I am working in a private home with a person who has c-diff all of us are using gloves and wipe evrything down with the bleach solution, but what should we be doing with the soiled briefs? also body fluids have gotten on carpet, would a steam cleaner kill the spores? any tips on proper care would be appreciated.
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written by Mary , July 28, 2008
My Mom was just admitted to the hospital with c diff after 2 weeks in nursing home, and 2 weeks in hospital prior to that...I have cleaned my Moms bath and bedroom surfaces with bleach and water sol...I have washed her bedding and clothes with 1/4 cup bleach added to each wash...what else should I be doing?
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(She has alzheimers, so reminding her to wash w/soap and water after toileting is challenging!) report abuse
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written by Chrystal , July 28, 2008
My 86 year old mother had c-diff so bad we thought we were going to lose her she made it home from the hospital only to get the c-diff back after 6 weeks,she is now in the hospital so weak an i sick I hope she can make it home again,but i'm so afraid she will get the super bug back again.........aloha,Chrytsal
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written by joanne , July 29, 2008
My husband contracted c diff when he was in the hospital to have the whipple procedure for pancreatic cancer. never having had surgery before we assumed that the symptoms were due to the surgery. He took the flagyl and it cleared but 3 weeks later he was back in again with c diff. The hospital doesn't consider the drug a failure until it has failed 3 times. We live in terror of this happening again. This time it seems to be affecting him more. Maybe that is just us. He is much sicker this time. It scares me to read that flagyl causes cancer.
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written by joanne , July 29, 2008
I forgot to say that while we were there we saw a man who had the whipple 2 days before my husband and he was back in again with you guessed it c diff. I noticed that the cleaning practices and the isolation practices were sadly lacking in the hospital and worried me tremendously.
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written by WENDY CAMPBELL-PEEK , July 30, 2008
MY SON IS IN HOSPITAL AND HAS CAUGHT C. DIFF. AS YET HIS ROOM HAS NOT BEEN CLEANED ONCE SINCE HE HAS BEEN IN THERE. AFTER READIN ABOUT THIS C.DIFF. I WILL BE GOING INTO THE HOSPITAL TODAY WITH A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT I WANT ANSWERED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS INFORMATION.
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written by Linda Mazza , August 10, 2008
My 93 yr old father has been ill for 7 weeks and was diagnosed with C-Diff three weeks ago. Hospital practices were good, but I don't know if they were using bleach solution each day to clean it. We were told to wear gloves and wash our hands before leaving and a gown for hugs. The trouble is he still has a raging case of C-Diff but hospital sent him to a rehab unit in our hometown and this place is absolutely not practicing good prevention. They did not isolate him the first day and did not provide gloves til I demanded that they do so. Also, staff is not wearing gloves or washing their hands after handling things my Dad is handling. I am terribly frightened for him and for all of us who visit because of their lack of bleaching, etc. The hospital sent him on to this place when he is still very sick and has terrible diarrhea that is constant. He needs prostate surgery but cannot get it due to illness with C-Diff. I think I need to go in to this place tomorrow armed with what I now know demanding better cleaning methods and protection for employees.
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written by Kellie , August 21, 2008
My dad caught c.difficile after having back surgery. He was extremely sick with it and after he came home from hospital my mother got it. Now she is very sick. The hospital my dad stayed at was pitiful. The didnt clean him, his bathroom, and his papers that was sent home with him had he had back problems. Im mad at the hospital he contracted this disease and im mad that the hospital down the road didnt take good care of my dad and my mom had to clean up after my dad and I think thats why she has it now.
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written by michelle jones August 23 , 2008 , August 23, 2008
My mother is currently on life support fighting for her life , she was diagnosed with c diff while in coronary care 2 weeks ago .Through out the whole time of diagnosis she was not isolated and we were never told to wash our hands or wear gloves and aprons , after immense suffering she was rushed for emergency surgery as she was dying , this has been the most horrific thing l have ever experienced , l have had to gain all of my information from the internet. My mother has been in hospital since the 11th may for major heart surgery , and while visiting her we have never and l mean never seen a cleaner in the hospital , never witnessed a doctor or nurse washing their hands , and not once have we smelt the hospital smell that we used to years ago as soon as you walk through the door ( disinfectent , bleach ) these superbugs will not go away if its left to the NHS
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written by teresa , August 30, 2008
My mother was admitted at Humber River Regional Hospital on June 16, 08. She was in a nursing home and upon admission to hospital we were advised she had C difficile. She was not placed in isolation while in the emergency ward. On June 17, 08 she was taken to the floor. When we visited on the 17th the nurse was not able to even get a blood pressure reading on her, but there was no concern on the nurses part. We left that evening at 9:30 pm. I called the hospital at 10:30 and the nurse told me she was able to get a BP reading but was still working on her chart. At 3:30 am on June 18 08, I received a call that Mom was in grave condition. By the time we got to the hospital she had died. She was never in isolation, she wasn't even on IV antibiotics, no wonder C-dif killed her.
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written by Jacenda , September 07, 2008
I have contracted cdif and have had it for four months. I had it for 3 months and almost died with it because my doctor would not listen to me. and now I believe it is to late and the damage is irreversible. All be cause my doctor would not listen to me. If any of you have a doctor that want listen to every single word or complaint that you have and only assumes this and that live them and find another doctor. This is so sad that people have grown so lazy that the jobs that we pay them to do they don't. I weighed a 158lbs. before I got cdif and I have lost over 20 pounds. I am so sorry for all that is sick and in pain and I wished there was something I could do to help because sometimes it seems that praying isn't enough. I sit and and wonder where we are falling short at.
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if anyone would like to email me feel free at \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Sincerely Yours: Jacenda report abuse
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written by JANET , October 01, 2008
My 91 year old nan went into hospital 2 weeks ago with numoania,(sorry about the spelling) she passed away this morning at 3.15am I dont know what caused her death yet but 2 days ago they said she had an infection, we found out yesterday that the name of the infection was cedif, I know they were treating my nan with antibiotics, the hospital left my nan in her own mess because they only had 4 nurses on duty, it was a couple of days before they had us wearing a gown and mask to vist her, she was in a ward with 5 other elderly women, they had to put up with the smell of my nan lying in her own mess and all have been put at risk of contracting this infection them selves, I think it is awfull how people are treat in hospital these days especially the elderly, my nan was in alot of pain and discomfort right to the end, something should be done about all the infections in hospitals before it really gets out of hand, familys are not being told early enough about the infections that there loved ones have, you visit, go home and help spread the infections around where will it end. GOD BLESS YOU NAN x
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written by Lori , October 06, 2008
My mom age 68 has cdiff, and I relate to all of the above comments. This has just happened and we are living in a nightmare. PLEASE help me by answering the following-- How do I make the guestroom and bathroom safe again for others? Do I throw away all that I can not bleach? The same with her clothes? Do we have to wear the gowns as well as the gloves when visiting? Tell me all that you can and God Bless You!
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written by Lori , October 06, 2008
you may email me please
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written by Laura , October 06, 2008
I was living in texas and caught cdif and it kept coming back 5 times and I moved to oregon and took meds for three months and took oil of oregeno and olive leaf and collestrum and I seemed to get well I also take florastor and for one year i have been infection free. try everything its a horrible way to die and I almost did. email me with any questions
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written by herb , October 08, 2008
I had a severe case of c diff last year and was in isolation for a week. In addition to vancomycin and flagyl I took Florastor and Saccromydes Boulardi (the latter prescribed by my doctor). Both of those are available over the counter on on the internet, and based on my research are likely to help and non toxic - unless you have a fungal infection in which case you should not take Boulardii. I recovered in about two weeks, though I was weak for at least three months. I will take these probiotics the rest of my life and avoid antibiotics unless I truly have a life threatening need for them.
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