Division of Infectious Diseases
Our clinical experts offer research, training and education in addition to personalized patient care using advanced diagnostics and treatments.
Clostridium Difficile (C. diff)
Bacteria in the colon that can produce toxins and cause diarrhea
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About C. Difficile
Lahey Clinic has the experts needed to care for people with Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), also called C. diff.
What is Clostridioides Difficile?
Clostridioides difficile are spore-forming bacteria that normally live in the digestive system, specifically the colon, or large bowel. It is a contagious infection.
The bacteria can produce toxins that make people sick. Not all strains of C. difficile produce toxin, so some people carry the bacteria but don’t get sick from it.
Symptoms
Under certain conditions, C. difficile can cause diarrhea. At times, it also causes fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain.
People who take antibiotics are more likely to develop infection with C. difficile. Older people and those with chronic medical conditions also are more prone to developing C. difficile infections.
Treatments
If you have diarrhea, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics for C. difficile infection. Once you complete treatment and diarrhea ends, your infection is no longer contagious. At that point, you no longer need to take any special precautions.
C. Difficile Frequently Asked Questions
Is C. difficile contagious?
Yes. C. difficile produces spores that can survive on surfaces around you. These spores can spread to others on contaminated hands, surfaces or equipment.
C. difficile usually isn’t spread through casual contact such as touching or hugging. C. difficile is not spread through the air by coughing or sneezing.
What will happen if I have diarrhea?
While you are in the hospital, you will notice staff taking special precautions. These precautions help prevent the spread of C. difficile. Many patients in the hospital are in a weakened state and are susceptible to infection.
Staff caring for you will wear gloves and gowns while in your room. We’ll place a sign that reads Contact Precautions at the entrance to your room. It alerts anyone entering to take special precautions.
Because C. difficile can be spread on people’s hands, your providers will clean their hands with either soap and water or alcohol hand rub before and after they care for you. Feel free to ask your health care providers if they cleaned their hands, reminding them to do so if they haven’t.
If I have C. difficile, may I leave my room?
You may leave your room if you are able to control your diarrhea, but you must take precautions. Wash your hands and put on a clean gown or a clean robe. When you are out of the room, do not touch other patients or items around you.
Who needs to know that I have C. difficile?
Anyone providing care for you needs to know if you have C. difficile diarrhea. This includes doctors, nurses and anyone providing care in your home. Also tell your health care providers that you have developed C. difficile when taking antibiotics in the past.
May I have visitors? Will they get sick?
You may have visitors at the hospital, and you may kiss and hug your loved ones. Your visitors need to wear gloves while in your room.
Your visitors should wash their hands before leaving your room. Good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of C. difficile.
If your visitors take these precautions, it is very unlikely that they will get C. difficile. If you have concerns about whether someone should visit, please talk to your doctor or nurse.
What precautions do I need to take at home?
Once you return home, both you and your family members should wash your hands as part of routine hygiene. This is no different than the hand washing most people practice to stay healthy. For example, wash before and after eating and after using the toilet.
Wash your hands well with soap and water, rinse well and dry completely. Clean surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas on a regular basis using diluted household bleach.
If your family members provide personal care to you while you have C. difficile diarrhea, they should take precautions, wearing gloves and washing hands often. If clothes or bedding become soiled, wash them in a washing machine with hot soapy water.
