Clostridium difficile, which is also known as C. difficile or C. diff, is a bacteria that exists in many places. People naturally have it in their intestines, but additional spores exist in a number of places such as hospitals. More than 500,000 people develop a condition called C diff each year, and a portion of that number of people dies if they do not take care of it as quickly as possible. Unsuspecting victims can get an infection in their colon if they pick up too many spores.The offensive spores can come from a number of environments and situations, but hospitals are the most common. Many people pick up spores from hospital bathrooms, utensils and even linens. The most vulnerable of people who develop C. diff are those who take antibiotics. Antibiotics sometimes kill healthy bacteria, and that gives the "bad" bacteria the opportunity to keep on growing until it forms an all-out infection.
People who spend any significant amount of time in the hospital are susceptible to C diff, as well. Getting a proper diagnosis is a key factor in saving a person's life who has fallen ill with the symptoms that seem to indicate the sickness. The following are the nine most common signs and symptoms of the infection to look out for:
People who spend any significant amount of time in the hospital are susceptible to C diff, as well. Getting a proper diagnosis is a key factor in saving a person's life who has fallen ill with the symptoms that seem to indicate the sickness. The following are the nine most common signs and symptoms of the infection to look out for: