Clostridioides difficile (C.difficile)
Date issued: March 2024
For review: March 2026
Ref: C-567/AKR/Learning Disability Team /Clostridioides difficile (C.difficile)
PDF: Clostridioides difficile.pdf [pdf] 345KB
What is Clostridioides difficile?
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that can live in the gut. This does not always cause infection.
How did I get C. difficile?
We do not always know why a patient has C. difficile.
It can be passed on by:
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Person to person by the hands.
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From what we touch.
Some treatments and antibiotics (tablets), affect the guts normal bacteria.
C. difficile can then increase and produce toxins which cause diarrhoea (watery poo).
It can cause stomach pain.
A poo sample will be sent. This will let us know if you have C. difficile.
Who is at Risk?
All patients are at risk.
How can we stop the spread?
Staff will wash hands using water and soap.
We are happy for you to ask if we have washed our hands.
If you have C. difficile you should be nursed in a single room.
Staff will be wearing an apron and sometimes gloves in the room.
We will prescribe you the right antibiotics.
Visitors will normally be able to visit.
What can you do?
Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and before and after eating.
Please tell a member of staff if you have diarrhoea (watery poo).
Make sure you take all the antibiotics
Going home
You should not need to stay in hospital because of C. difficile.
You may need to complete antibiotics.
